Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

It would be 'awful' if Philippe Coutinho left Liverpool for Barcelona, says teammate Roberto Firmino

Barca have made the Brazilian their top target to replace Neymar and have seen two bids already rebuffed for the 25-year-old who has submitted a transfer request to leave

Tuesday 15 August 2017 13:38 BST

Roberto Firmino doesn't want to see his teammate leave Liverpool (Liverpool FC)

Roberto Firmino concedes that Philippe Coutinho leaving Liverpool for Barcelona would be "awful".

Barca have made the Brazilian their top target to replace Neymar and have seen two bids already rebuffed for the 25-year-old who has submitted a transfer request to leave Anfield.

But Firmino is eager for his teammate of both club and country to stay put and help both achieve success in a World Cup year.

Watford vs Liverpool player ratings

Show all 23

"I prefer to not think of this (Coutinho leaving) because it would be awful. He's a great player but also a great friend to me," he told the Liverpool Echo. "It is normal that great teams are interested in his football but my concentration is now on the team.

"My objective is to win cups with Liverpool so I can enter the history of this club. This season is a special season because it is World Cup season. From childhood, I had the dream to play the World Cup.

"To be selected to the World Cup, I need to have my best season with Liverpool. Tite is a coach who rewards hard work at clubs."

Firmino will be the main attraction on Tuesday evening when Liverpool travel to his former club Hoffenheim for the first leg of the Champions League qualifying play-off.

And the attacking midfielder is relishing the trip back to Germany again but knows his current side will have their work cut out against his former one.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Show all 9

1/9Liverpool summer transfer targets

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Naby Keita

A difficult signing to pull off, but one that Liverpool are interested in making. Keita's dynamic performances in the centre of RB Leipzig's midfield have caught Klopp's eye, but also the attention of Bayern Munich, who are also monitoring the player.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Timo Werner

Werner scored 21 goals in the Bundesliga last season as his goals fired RB Leipzig to second place and a first-ever Champions League qualification. The German club are keen to keep him but money talks and Liverpool are desperate for an out-and-out goalscorer.

Bongarts/Getty Images

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Dusan Tadic

The Southampton attacker is out of favour on the south coast and desperate for a way out of the club. Liverpool are interested in him to provide competition and back-up to the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana with the added strain of European football.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Andrew Robertson

Given Hull's relegation to the Championship, Robertson is one of the players in the shop window. Left-backs are at the forefront of Klopp's transfer activity and Robertson will come fairly cheap.

Getty

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Somewhat surprising reports have arisen over recent weeks that Chamberlain will be a Liverpool player next season. A disappointing season for Arsenal has left their squad in disarray, and it is thought that the 23 year-old midfielder is seeking a new challenge. The player’s versatility across midfield positions is an appealing to Klopp, who will need added squad depth. Arsenal will not be keen to sell to a rival, but if the rumours are to be believed, Chamberlain has his heart set on the Merseyside club and a £35 million transfer could well be on the cards.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Douglas Costa

The 26 year old Brazilian winger has gained plaudits for his performances at the German champions, yet the player stated earlier in the season that he is ‘not that happy’, presumably at missing out to Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben regularly. He would cost upwards of £25 million and have plenty of suitors, meaning Liverpool are simply one of many clubs he could choose from, although he did recently ‘like’ a tweet from a Liverpool fan about the possibility of him joining the club. There is also a chance that Costa is happy in Munich but is seeking an improved deal, which would come as no real surprise.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Ryan Sessegnon

Sessegnon is a long-term option at left-back for Liverpool with the 17-year-old lighting up the Championship with Fulham. With only Alberto Moreno, who is expected to leave, and James Milner available in that position, Klopp wants to bring in at least two. He faces competition from Manchester United and Tottenham though.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The most speculative target on the list is Gabon forward Aubameyang, who became a household name under Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund. Constant questions over his future are expected to culminate in a move this summer, and while his former boss will no doubt be interested, European giants Real Madrid are circling and thought to be his preferred destination. While the versatile Roberto Firmino has had a good season deployed as Liverpool’s first choice striker and Divock Origi a promising talent, they still lack a world class centre forward like Aubameyang. Dortmund CEO Hanz-Joachim Watzke stated earlier this year that the striker, who has three years to run on his contract, would only leave ‘for an outrageous fee’.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Jonas Hector

A player Klopp will know well, the 26 year-old is thought to be a serious option with the manager unconvinced by Alberto Moreno. James Milner has deputised brilliantly this season but an out-and-out left back is a priority for the summer. Hector has earned 27 caps for Germany since 2014 and is known for his excellent positional understanding and for putting in accurate crosses. It is thought he would cost in excess of £20 million, which could be well worth it for a good player approaching his prime years.

"My feeling on facing my ex club? It makes me happy to meet old friends again. I always felt respected there, I have good memories," he added. "I know Hoffenheim very well. They're an organised, hard side to face. But if we want to go far we must win big games from now.

"Klopp is a manager who's got the group under the palm of his hands. We hope to achieve big things this season, we prepared well."

Join our commenting forum

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