LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp has finally revealed his thoughts on Philippe Coutinho’s British record-breaking move to Barcelona, claiming he had no choice but to let the player go.
Liverpool had rejected multiple bids during the summer transfer window for the Brazilian, but the Spanish giants finally got their man for a £142 million ($192 million), which smashed the transfer record involving a British club.
The 25-year-old will move to the Nou Camp pending a medical and the final legal formalities have been completed. The Reds’ manager Klopp, speaking to the LFC website, said the club reluctantly decided to let the former Inter Milan attacker make his dream move.
“It is with great reluctance that we – as a team and club – prepare to say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho,” he said on liverpoolfc.com.
“It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.
“Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his team-mates this was a move he was desperate to make happen. Despite that, we managed to keep the player here beyond the summer window, hoping that we would be able to persuade him to stay and be part of what we are looking to do.
“I can tell the Liverpool supporters that we, as a club, have done everything within our means to convince Philippe that remaining part of Liverpool was as attractive as moving to Spain, but he is 100 percent certain his future – and that of his family – belongs at Barcelona.
“It is his dream and I am now convinced there is nothing left at our disposal to change his mind.”
“Philippe has made a fantastic contribution to this club over his five years of service and as disappointed as we are he doesn’t want to extend that, the relationship we have for him means with a heavy heart we wish him well.
“The player remained dedicated and committed to helping us win matches, producing good performances and training hard each day at Melwood after the summer window had closed, despite failing to convince us to allow him to leave during that period and that level of professionalism reflects positively on him.
“So as we bid farewell to Philippe, we continue on our path of progress and development as we work towards our common goal of bringing trophies back to Anfield.”
'No choice' to let Coutinho leave Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp
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