Liverpool legend, Phil Thompson believes qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League is crucial to Liverpool’s hopes of keeping Philippe Coutinho.
The former Reds captain says if Jurgen Klopp’s men beat Hoffenheim in the play-off round, then it will strengthen the club’s hand as they battle to retain his services.
Liverpool rejected a second offer of £90 million from Barcelona for the Brazilian, who submitted a transfer request last week in a bid to force through a move.
“I think the outcome of the play-off could have a knock-on to Coutinho,” Thompson told Sky Sports.
“If things go pear-shaped then he has a pretty good excuse to say: ‘Let me go, I want to play in the Champions League.’ It is even more important in that respect.
“If we get through to the group stages then I think the owners – because they put everything at Coutinho’s disposal before, giving him a five-year deal and the pay increased that he and his agent asked for – have strong enough grounds to stand firm,” He said.
“The owners know it’s Barcelona but to them it’s a contract signed and until they’ve got a player who can fill his boots then they have no interest in selling, especially after the way the club was embarrassed with the timing of the transfer request,” he concluded.
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