In this past January transfer window, it was known that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in acquiring Philippe Coutinho, to the point that LFC Manager Jurgen Klopp felt the need to issue a warning to the La Liga duopoly.
“We never had any ideas or plans or any talks about him leaving, because he is our player – there are no other ideas, nothing has changed,” Klopp said earlier this season.
“Big clubs don’t think in this way unfortunately. It was not a big injury so there was no question of him not being the same player afterwards. It would be nice if big clubs forgot about a player completely because he’s been injured for five or six weeks.” (Quote via NBC Sports Pro Soccer Talk)
That was January and this is now, and the German is currently taking a very different approach to the rumors. Klopp said he welcomes the Barca interest and he maintains that he has no doubts over Coutinho’s loyalties lie.
“Actually, I think it’s positive when there is interest,” Jurgen Klopp said. “It shows it’s good. I am not concerned because I think Phil fits really well and comfortably here.
“He had a difficult time with injury, coming back fighting for shape, I would say. That’s normal. In the last three games, you can see immediately, when he is in a little bit of shape, how big the difference is he can have in a game.
“That’s wonderful for us. I am not concerned, actually, because we give the boys enough perspective that they really want to be part of this for the next few years.”
Where does Klopp get such self-assurance? Well, the Liverpool Echo reported today that Liverpool have already made it known to Barca that there will be no talks over a deal once the summer transfer window opens.
Watch this space? Maybe, maybe not.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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