Jurgen Klopp’s response when asked if Liverpool FC will re-sign Philippe Coutinho
Jurgen Klopp rules out Liverpool FC re-signing Philippe Coutinho this summer
Jurgen Klopp has ruled out Liverpool FC re-signing Philippe Coutinho from FC Barcelona this summer.
The Brazil international has been linked with a potential return to the Anfield outfit this summer despite having moved to the Spanish giants little over 18 months ago.
Coutinho completed a move to FC Barcelona in a £142m deal in the 2018 January transfer window following months of speculation linking the 27-year-old with a switch to Camp Nou.
However, the former Liverpool FC number 10 has struggled to adjust to life at FC Barcelona to raise questions about his long-term future at the Catalan club.
FC Barcelona are thought to be interested in a bid to re-sign Neymar this summer, which would leave Coutinho in a precarious position at the four-time Champions League winners.
Coutinho has been touted as a potential target for PSG this summer, while Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC and Manchester United have all been suggested as destinations.
Speaking to ESPN FC in New York on Wednesday, Klopp ruled out a potential swoop to bring Coutinho back to Liverpool FC in the summer transfer window.
“In general, Phil Coutinho helps each team in the world, still — 100%,” Klopp said.
“It’s not about that. I like Phil, I think he’s a fantastic footballer and all that stuff, but it would be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big-money signing and it’s not our year for that.
“It’s just not possible. As I said, having him would make each team better — us included — but I really hope that he finds his luck at Barcelona.
“Or maybe he found it there. We have contact, but not that close contact that I know exactly how he is doing, but the rest is only newspaper talk and stuff like that.
If everything was true what newspapers write about me — wow! If it’s similar to what they write about me, I would say he’s completely happy at Barcelona and wants to sign a new six-year contract or whatever.”
The Reds won the Champions League last season thanks to a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Madrid showpiece.
Liverpool FC are still waiting to win the Champions League for the first time.
