Amidst the frequent reports strongly linking Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho with a move to Barcelona, ex-Reds defender and pundit Jamie Carragher believes the Brazilian wouldn’t be leaving Anfield this summer.
But that’s where the good news ends for Liverpool fans, as Carragher made another bold claim as regards the future of the 25-year-old former Inter Milan man.
When asked if he expects Coutinho to be playing in a Liverpool shirt next season, the one-time club’s vice-skipper and Monday Night Football host told 5times, “Yes I do! Hopefully we can get twelve more months out of him…There is no doubt that at one stage in his career Philippe will want to play for one of the Spanish giants, as many of the South American players do.
“Barcelona and Real Madrid are seen as the two biggest teams in world football who always have the best players. It’s always the dream of many players to play for one of them…
“It’s been said that Barcelona want to make a big money signing, not only because of the danger of losing Neymar, but also with Andres Iniesta coming to the end of his career, Barcelona see Coutinho as the ideal signing.
“To be honest, I think that Liverpool fans should really enjoy him over the next twelve months, as if a big money offer does come in at the end of next season and if the player wants to play for Barcelona, then there is not really much LFC can do.
“Like I said, let’s just hope we see him in a Liverpool shirt next season, which I think we will, and then let’s see where things go from there.”
The 2-time Liverpool Player of the Year enters his 6th season at Anfield next term, and while he has grown into one of Premier League’s best players within the last half a decade, success has completely eluded him in terms of trophies and titles.
Coutinho has scored 34 times in 138 league games and played just once in the Champions League as a Liverpool player.
The club’s campaign in 2017-18 will very much have a massive say on his Liverpool future, as further lack of silverware will most likely push him away towards Spain.
