Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Philippe Coutinho unsure if he'll remain at Liverpool beyond January as £130m Barcelona transfer rumours circulate

Brazil international admits 'I don't know how the future is going to be' 

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Thursday 07 December 2017 13:00 GMT
Comments
Philippe Coutinho is still facing an uncertain future with Barcelona interested in signing him in January
Philippe Coutinho is still facing an uncertain future with Barcelona interested in signing him in January (Getty)

Philippe Coutinho has admitted that he does not know if Barcelona will make another offer for him when the transfer window reopens in January.

The Liverpool attacking midfielder was taken out of Jürgen Klopp’s first-team plans at the start of the season after Barcelona launched an intense pursuit of him in the summer, but remained at Anfield after the Premier League club stood firm in their desire not to sell one of their prize assets.

Certainly, performances like the one in Liverpool’s 7-0 demolition of Spartak Moscow on Wednesday night – in which he scored a hat-trick while captaining the side – will only grow Barca’s desire to land him at the earliest opportunity.

The Spanish giants look unperturbed in their desire to sign the Brazil international, and with reports in Spain claiming an offer of nearly £130m is ready to be lodged next month, Coutinho knows his future remains an uncertain one.

“I do not know how the future is going to be,” Coutinho said after the Anfield rout. “What will happen in January, we will know it in January. I do not know if there will be an offer. I am at Liverpool and I always do my best when I have the opportunity to play, respecting the jersey and the supporters.

“Last summer there was a job offer in the same way that happens with any employee and I was interested in it. Since I stayed, I have played with will and desire.”

The landslide victory over Spartak secured Liverpool’s place in the Champions League last-16, becoming the fifth English side to make it out of the group stage – which is a first for any nation in European competition.

In the absence of regular captain Jordan Henderson, Klopp entrusted Coutinho to lead the side and was rewarded with one of his – and the team’s – best performances of the season.

Reports in Spain suggest a £130m offer is primed for the January transfer window (Getty)

“It was a special night due to the result and because I had the armband in such important playing for a club like Liverpool,” Coutinho added.

The issue for Klopp is how to fit all of his attacking threats into the same side, as while Coutinho joined forces with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to blow Spartak off the park, it has been a combination that has left Liverpool exposed defensively when playing away from home.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in