Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool likely to keep Philippe Coutinho, says Phil Thompson


Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes his former club will defy the odds to keep hold on star man Philippe Coutinho this summer.

The Brazilian is just 8/15 with Sky Bet to join Barcelona this summer after general manager Pep Segura claimed the Spanish giants are close to completing the signing, although the Anfield club have always insisted he is not for sale at any price.

Thommo believes the club do have the grounds to overcome odds of 11/8 and keep hold of Coutinho and does not see him sulking if Barca fail to get their way.

He said: "I think the owners will hold firm. They've backed themselves into a corner with the statements they've made along with Jurgen Klopp's comments, so I just don't see how they can go back on that.

"Especially when the fans are already quite unhappy with the summer transfer business as deals for Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita are looking increasingly unlikely.

"The comments coming out from Barca saying that a deal is close might be a red flag to a bull, making the owners, who are adamant because of the deal they gave him six months ago, even more focused on standing their ground, so I think they will keep him."

The Reds have been backed into 6/4 to sign Julian Draxler from PSG, while they are 5/2 for West Ham's Manuel Lanzini and 7/2 for Leicester's Riyad Mahrez in Sky Bet's Transfer Specials, but Thommo fears time is against them to adequately replace their star man.

He added: "It's probably too late in the window to get somebody in, so I think they'll keep him for a season. Coutinho might argue that Barcelona wont be there again but if you believe you're a top player then a top club will always be interested.

"The ideal resolution is that the club will leave it very late and get as much as they can for him. If he doesn't want to stay then I'd rather see him sold for the best price, but the big issue is that there won't be any players near is quality on the market.

"I think he will stay and I think he will continue to play at the same level because I don't see him as the sort of player who will sulk and refuse to play, especially in a World Cup year."

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