Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liverpool set to compensate fans with Philippe Coutinho shirts following transfer to Barcelona

The Reds say they will give the voucher to supporters who forked out for this season's shirt with the midfielder's name and number printed on the back

Sunday 07 January 2018 11:26 GMT
Comments
Anyone with this year's shirt with Coutinho's name on is eligible for a voucher
Anyone with this year's shirt with Coutinho's name on is eligible for a voucher (Getty)

It's not all bad news for Liverpool fans - the club have announced anyone with a Philippe Coutinho shirt will be eligible £50 compensation.

Liverpool and Barcelona finally agreed a deal worth up to £142million for the player on Saturday evening with the Brazilian set to be unveiled officially shortly.

The Reds say they will give a voucher to supporters who forked out for this season's shirt with the midfielder's name and number printed on the back.

A club statement said: "The offer - which applies to all shirts purchased in official club outlets and via the official LFC website - follows today's announcement that Coutinho will join FC Barcelona and reflects the exceptional circumstances behind the player's departure."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp stressed the club had done everything possible to persuade Coutinho to remain at Anfield, but revealed the player had been "desperate" to move to Barcelona since July.

"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 told the club's official website. "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 per cent certain his future - and that of his family - belongs at Barcelona.

Coutinho will soon be confirmed as a Barcelona player (Getty)

"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 that he doesn't want to extend that, the relationship we have for him means, with a heavy heart, we wish him well."

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