Why Liverpool should cash in on Philippe Coutinho this summer

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Jurgen Klopp has been unequivocal in his stance that Philippe Countinho is not for sale at any price. According to a report in the Guardian, Liverpool rejected a £72 million offer from Barcelona several days ago, amid mounting speculation that the Brazilian, who moved to Merseyside from Inter Milan in 2013, could be on his way out of Anfield this summer.

The Reds secured a top-four finish last season, thus qualifying for the Champions League, and Klopp is determined to keep hold of his best assets – as well as adding to his squad – ahead of a busy campaign.

Underlined by the enormous bid of £72 million, Barcelona’s interest in Coutinho is serious. Regardless of what Klopp has said publicly, there is no doubt that such an offer for a player who cost just £8. 5 million, must be tempting to the club’s power brokers, who would stand to make a mammoth profit.

The Brazilian’s value has soared since he joined Liverpool and he has proved to be one of the best bargains in Premier League history.

The 25-year-old’s influence at Anfield has grown year on year, with the 2016/17 season a personal highlight thanks to 14 goals in all competitions, many of them long-range stunners. He has provided plenty of assists in his time at Liverpool too, becoming a class act who has the ability to change the course of a match in an instant.

It’s completely understandable that under no circumstances will Klopp countenance the idea of letting his chief playmaker leave. He does not want Liverpool to become known as a selling club. But the reality is different. After much deliberation and brinkmanship, the Reds finally sanctioned the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona for £65 million, three years ago. The offer was too good to turn down.

The same may happen here, although Liverpool will play hardball to ensure they maximise the transfer fee.

Coutinho is a delightful player, but no-one is irreplaceable. Liverpool boast an array of creative talent in the form of Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and new recruit Mohamed Salah, all of whom are more than able to fill the void. Goals should not be hard to come by either, with Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane and Divock Origi in the ranks.

If it is possible, Klopp currently has too many attacking players at his disposal and some are abound to be disappointed when the starting XI for their opening match of the season is announced.

Just think what Klopp could do with more than £70 million to spend. It may be the decisive factor in his long-running pursuit of Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, whose links to Liverpool, as reported by Sky Sports, have resurfaced. More than that, though, it would enable the charismatic German to bolster areas of his squad that need strengthening.

He would be able to identify top-quality targets and have the confidence that he could outbid other clubs, as well as offering a better financial package. Every player has his price and Liverpool may soon find that Barcelona make an irresistible offer. Selling Coutinho would neither be a sign of weakness nor a backwards step.