Former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend believes that Liverpool should sell Philippe Coutinho in order to fund purchases of Diego Costa and Virgil van Dijk.
The 25-year-old Coutinho has handed in a transfer request to the Reds amid speculation that he is a target of Barcelona who view him as a replacement for Neymar.
Van Dijk continues to be a target of Jurgen Klopp, this despite the fact that the Merseyside club were forced to apologize to Southampton after being found guilty of tapping up the Dutchman. Meanwhile, Costa is surplus to requirements at Chelsea and is aiming to fund a new club for this season.
Townsend has now said of the saga, “I would sell Coutinho. Not because I do not think he is a good player, I think he is a brilliant player, but I think they need one at the back and also a No.9.
“(Roberto) Firmino is a great player, but a fit and capable Daniel Sturridge with a Firmino, fantastic. (Divock) Origi, it is still early days for him, but he is still a little bit short for me.
“But if they go and buy a No.9, and were to go and get Virgil van Dijk as well, I think that is a good trade for Coutinho. If Liverpool did do Coutinho [sale] and Chelsea all of a sudden were prepared to sell Diego Costa – they have sold Nemanja Matic to Man Utd – are Liverpool a better team with that? Yes.”
