Liverpool Transfer News: Philippe Coutinho

Rumours Ease After Jurgen Klopp Joins

By
Rory Marsden , Featured Columnist

Oct. 9, 2015

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Jurgen Klopp's appointment as Liverpool manager has not only raised the spirits at the
Merseyside club, but it has also reportedly persuaded star player Philippe Coutinho to stay on
at Anfield.
Per Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Metro's Will Giles), the Brazilian playmaker was previously
considering a move to Spain amid rumours of interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid and
Barcelona.
However, having been "uncomfortable with his role" under previous manager Brendan
Rodgers, Coutinho is now eager to stay on at Liverpool, as he wants to play for Klopp,
per Giles.
Coutinho is arguably Liverpool's best player, and Spanish football writer Guillem Balague
believes Klopp should build his team around the 23-year-old:
The former Borussia Dortmund manager was officially unveiled as Liverpool boss on Friday,
and he is excited about the prospect of working at a "special club," per the club's Twitter
feed.
Klopp also got the seal of approval from Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, per Sky Sports
(via audioBoom):
However, the German has some work to do to turn Liverpool's recent form around.
The Reds nearly won the Premier League title under Rodgers in 2013-14, but they have
dropped off hugely in quality since then.
They finished sixth in the Premier League last term, and eight games into the new season,
they have picked up only 12 points following a string of uninspiring performances.
Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe is confident Klopp can do well at Liverpool but is unsure
whether he has a squad with which he can work effectively:
Coutinho, though, is a top-class performer who would be a fine addition to any side.

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It is unsurprising that he has been linked with Barca and Real or that his international teammate Neymar recently said he would like Coutinho to join him at the Camp Nou, per BBC
Sport.
If Klopp's arrival has indeed persuaded him to stay on, that is a huge boost for the Reds.
The departures of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling have hurt Liverpool in recent years, and
were Coutinho to depart, it would be a further indictment of Liverpool's ability to keep hold
of top players.

However, should he stay on, Liverpool have a star player around which Klopp could
potentially build a title-winning team.