Liverpool don’t have to be swayed on Coutinho in World Cup year

Philippe Coutinho & Barcelona are trying to push through a January transfer for the Brazilian to the Nou Camp. But Liverpool need not be swayed in a World Cup year.

The feeling that Liverpool can hold on to Philippe Coutinho until the end of the season is rapidly fading. There has been the pre-Christmas Barcelona PR offensive; a host of Barca players speaking about the Brazilian.

Then there was Saturday’s overnight Nike bungle. The sportswear giant, and Coutinho’s sponsor, dropped an online advert offering Barcelona shirts with his name on as if a transfer had already happened.

Now as soon as the transfer window opens Coutinho misses a game (or two, or more) with a new injury. We’ve been here before Phil. It didn’t work last time.

In the summer Liverpool owners FSG took the decision out of the hands of manager Jurgen Klopp. They were adamant that Coutinho would not be sold. Any offers would be rejected out of hand. Now it appears that FSG have softened their stance. The decision this time will be left with Klopp.

There maybe a feeling that this is a huge distraction at a crucial time. Maybe selling him now for £130 million would be a quick end to the saga and we can all move on. However, Liverpool have all the leverage in the situation and should not relent to anything they do not want to do. And they need to get paid.

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Coutinho cannot afford to go on strike ala Diego Costa in a World Cup year. He would still make the squad but he could lose his place in the first team after 5 months on the sidelines. Instead Liverpool can force him to stay until the summer. Or at very least claim a hugely inflated fee for the summer. Anything else would be a serious step backwards.