Liverpool need to learn from the past
It’s clear that Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are desperate to keep hold of Philippe Coutinho at all costs. Unfortunately, the allure of Barcelona seems destined to pry the Brazilian maestro away from Anfield. That’s why the Reds need to study the case of Gareth Bale and Real Madrid.
The Welsh wizard was in a very similar place to Coutinho just a few short years ago. He was Tottenham’s unquestioned talisman, but his head was turned by the bright lights of a gigantic La Liga club. Ultimately, Real Madrid were able to secure Bale’s services after paying Spurs a massive fee.
Tottenham didn’t want to part with Bale, but they accepted their fate when it became inevitable. Liverpool are teetering near the same point. Klopp considers Coutinho essential to his plans, but he can’t afford to keep him if he becomes disgruntled. If Coutinho becomes disillusioned with life at Anfield, Liverpool have to be prepared to move forward.
The first step towards recovery is selling Coutinho for the highest possible fee. While money can’t buy happiness, it can buy players in the transfer market. Spurs were able to purchase seven new players with the proceeds from Bale’s sale. Liverpool would be wise to opt to purchase more quality, as opposed to that sort of quantity.
Fortunately, the early indications are that Liverpool are toeing a solid financial line. They’ve flatly refused Barcelona’s early overtures for their midfield ace. It’s almost certain that the Catalan club will need to pay over the £100 million mark to capture their target.
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There is, however, danger in pushing the negotiations too far. At some point, Barcelona could decide that Coutinho just isn’t worth the price. That might sound good on the surface for Liverpool fans, but it has the potential to crush Coutinho’s relationship with the club. If that happens, his performance on the pitch will drop like a stone.
The key is finding the sweet spot in negotiations. Liverpool must force Barcelona to pay through the nose. That isn’t a win in and of itself, but it does mitigate the damage of losing a superstar.
The trouble Klopp and company are facing at the moment is the pressure of time. The summer transfer window isn’t going to stay open forever. Liverpool would need to resolve Coutinho’s status soon to have enough time to begin to replace him. Klopp won’t want his project at the club delayed an entire season by having an incomplete roster until the winter transfer window opens.
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As an ardent Spurs supporter, I do feel some sympathy for Liverpool over their quest to keep Coutinho away from Barcelona. I wanted to keep Bale desperately too. Ultimately though, letting the star leave is the only way forward for the club. Liverpool need to learn from Bale’s move to Spain or Coutinho’s departure may crush them.