Zimpapers Logo

LIVERPOOL. – Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool fought hard to keep Philippe Coutinho at the club, but eventually had to admit defeat and sell the playmaker to Spanish soccer giants Barcelona.

The Reds turned down a series of bids from Barcelona last summer for the Brazilian, but the Spanish club returned once the January window opened and got their man with a fee believed to be £146 million.

Klopp says Liverpool tried to persuade Coutinho to stay, but came to realise that the 25-year-old had his heart set on a switch to the Nou Camp. Asked yesterday why the sale was made, Klopp said: “There was no other option. If there is somebody maybe who should be angry, massively disappointed, in this case, then it could be the manager of the club the player is leaving.

“But I am not (angry), because I know we tried absolutely everything to convince Phil to stay here and carry on going together with us.” – Sky Sports.