'Liverpool is not a club that has to sell players... Philippe Coutinho is priceless,' warns boss Jurgen Klopp

  • Barcelona have been told to look elsewhere for a Neymar replacement
  • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that Philippe Coutinho is not for sale 
  • Barca have had a second bid of £90million rejected by Liverpool for Coutinho
  • Klopp said: 'No player is untouchable. But a transfer is also a question of timing'

Jurgen Klopp has told Barcelona in the most emphatic terms that no amount of money will convince Liverpool to sell Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona have pursued the Brazil international all summer and on Wednesday they had a second bid of £90million rejected by Liverpool, having had an opening offer of £72million turned down three weeks ago.

Liverpool believe the case is now closed and they are preparing for the season, fully expecting Coutinho to be central to their plans. Barcelona, however, are unlikely to be deterred and with 20 days of the transfer window remaining, it remains to be seen whether they will go beyond £100m.

Barcelona have been linked with signing Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho all summer

Barcelona have been linked with signing Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho all summer

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp says the club are in no position where they need to sell the star

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp says the club are in no position where they need to sell the star

Yet even if Barcelona come back with a deal that would make Coutinho the second biggest transfer in history, Liverpool are not going to waiver from the stance they have taken and they are being as obdurate with the Catalans as RB Leipzig were with them over Naby Keita.


And in an interview that was broadcast on Sky Germany, Klopp laid down the law to Barcelona and explained why there isn't one magical figure that will persuade him to let the 25-year-old head to La Liga.

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'From a financial standpoint, there is no price limit to let him go or a price that we are ready to give in,' Klopp said. 'Our goal is to have the best possible team. So we want to keep our guys and add new ones. That is our plan.

'No player on the planet is untouchable. But a transfer is also a question of timing and if you have the opportunity and the need to react to such a transfer. Also you have to ask, if you have the time to react.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is determined to bring Coutinho to the Nou Camp

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is determined to bring Coutinho to the Nou Camp

The South American is keen to make the switch to Barcelona but may have to wait 12 months

The South American is keen to make the switch to Barcelona but may have to wait 12 months

'But just because of one request of one club, we don't have to think about that. We are not in that situation. Liverpool is not a club that has to sell players. That is set in stone. So what they pay in the end doesn't matter.'

Klopp has become increasingly irritated with questions on Coutinho's future but he will dominate the agenda when Liverpool's manager previews his side's opening game against Watford at his first press conference of the season.

A pressing issue for Klopp over Coutinho, who would be open to joining Barcelona, is whether he will be fit for next Tuesday's Champions League play-off first leg against Hoffenheim due to a lingering back problem that once again prevented him from training yesterday.

There is next to no chance of him being involved at Vicarage Road, as he has failed to train all week at Melwood and if he does not respond to treatment over the next 48 hours, his hopes of being involved in the first leg in Germany would be extinguished. 

Coutinho will miss Liverpool's opening Premier League game of the season against Watford

Coutinho will miss Liverpool's opening Premier League game of the season against Watford

Klopp hopes to have Coutinho available for the Champions League play-off clash on Tuesday

Klopp hopes to have Coutinho available for the Champions League play-off clash on Tuesday

 

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