Should we be surprised by anything Luis Suarez says or does…?
Probably not, actually, considering the player’s history of brilliance and insanity in equal measure!
Today, our former striker, who in our mind, is the most gifted footballer we’ve had in the Premier League era bar Steven Gerrard, encouraged Barcelona to sign his former team-mate Coutinho.
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Brazil explain how they’ll use Coutinho in upcoming friendlies
The comments come after a summer of disrespect from Barca, in which they used media outlets to tap up our Brazilian to such an extent he handed in a transfer request the day before the season started.
Liverpool rejected all advances, but Coutinho has endured a stop/start season due to injuries.
Conveniently though, he’s healthy for Brazil again, as he was earlier on in the campaign…
Asked what Phil would bring to Barca, Suarez replied accordingly:
“A lot. I know him as a person and as a player because I played with him, but everyone knows what Coutinho can contribute. He is a footballer, who today, plays at a very high level,” Suarez told Mundo Deportivo, cited by Paul Joyce in the Times.
“Obviously he must have [wanted to join] because he’s a player who has ambition and any player would want to come to Barca,” he continued.
“He went through a difficult and very complicated moment but as a professional he continued to show how good a player he is and the personal quality he has.
“Despite trying to leave Liverpool he continued helping the team and working. He is demonstrating as a professional who has the ambition to take a step further.”
The one comment that irks us here is as follows:
“Obviously he must have [wanted to join] because he’s a player who has ambition.”
This implies Liverpool are a stepping stone, which under Jurgen Klopp, we’re trying desperately not to be anymore.
In fairness, no top players have left since his appointment, but hanging onto Coutinho beyond this season will be difficult.
It’ll be detrimental to all to endure another summer of rumours and vitriol, so providing Barca stump up an insane sum – we should let him leave.
So long as we get in the replacement first – and not after everyone knows how much money we have in the bank.