In all honesty, we’re not sure why a Liverpool employee is discussing such matter in this kind of tone – not that we ever like to criticise our greatest ever midfielder.
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s Under-18 coach, was speaking about Coutinho’s future on BT Sport last night following Manchester United’s defeat in the Super Cup.
He spoke like a fan rather than someone who works at the club, suggesting if Coutinho wanted to leave – he’d need to start a war – rather than towing the party line that he’s simply not for sale.
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Perhaps we’re being oversensitive here, but it’d be nice for him to follow Jurgen Klopp’s example and claim that there’s nothing to discuss because the player isn’t for sale.
“It’s very, very difficult,” Gerrard told BT Sport last night. “Especially South American players who always go on record saying it’s a dream of theirs to play for Barcelona.
“I’ve experienced it before as a player and a fan with [Javier] Mascherano, with [Luis] Suarez and it’s a very, very difficult situation for a club to be in.
“The good thing from the Liverpool fans’ point of view is the manager [Jürgen Klopp] is desperate to keep hold of him and is trying to keep hold of him.
“The board want him to stay, this is not a situation where Liverpool need money or to cash in.
“We’re not a selling club so they’re going to do everything in their power for him to stay but at the end of the day it comes down to Philippe Coutinho and his decision, what he’s prepared to do, what type of war he’s prepared to create to get out because Liverpool won’t make it easy for him.”
Unlike Suarez and Mascherano, Coutinho has behaved impeccably and not once publicly stated a desire to leave.
He’s also contracted for the next five years, with no release-clause, so Liverpool are undeniably in a position of strength.
Coutinho will be at Liverpool this season. We’re practically certain of it.