Jurgen Klopp: What Philippe Coutinho said to me before Liverpool FC exit
Jurgen Klopp lifts the lid on how desperate Philippe Coutinho was to sign for Barcelona from Liverpool FC this month
Jurgen Klopp has told Liverpool FC fans that Philippe Coutinho was “desperate” to sign for Barcelona this month.
The Reds confirmed on Saturday night that they had reached an agreement to sell the Brazil international to the Spanish giants for a fee believed to as much as £142m.
Coutinho had been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona throughout the summer months and was again heavily touted as a target for the Spanish side in the lead-up to January.
Liverpool FC had initially refused to sell Coutinho in the summer transfer window but the player’s insistence that the move was the right one for him was part of the reason Klopp and the Reds opted to let him leave this month.
Speaking in an interview with Liverpool FC’s website, Klopp said: “It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.
“Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his teammates this was a move he was desperate to make happen.”
Liverpool FC now prepare for life without Coutinho as they turn their attentions towards their Premier League showdown with Manchester City next Sunday afternoon.
The Reds booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night with a 2-1 win over derby rivals Everton at Anfield.
Liverpool FC are likely to be busy in the remainder of the January transfer window as Klopp looks to try and replace Coutinho in his squad.
