Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, has claimed that Liverpool have the upper hand, as Barcelona continue to chase the Reds’ playmaker, Philippe Coutinho.
Barca have seen two bids rejected by the Anfield side. And Balague writing in his weekly column for Sky Sports, says there might be more bad news for the La Liga giants, who have lost Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.
He wrote: “Although Coutinho’s representatives have agreed personal terms with Barcelona and he wants to go, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are pulling in the opposite direction – they’re not selling. And why should they?
“I believe Coutinho has behaved very professionally – as usual, they say at the club – and Liverpool are surprised about stories suggesting he’s been training badly. He’s got a back injury – many will doubt the timing of it – but he’s been in Melwood every day to receive treatment on it.
“Klopp will have to deal with this situation, although I’m sure he’s done it before. He will know that within few weeks of the season, the upset or disappointment of not signing for Barcelona will disappear.
“Barcelona, meanwhile, are in limbo and are starting to believe that Liverpool won’t sell. And that is bad news for the board – losing Neymar and not finding a suitable replacement makes things complicated for president Josep Maria Bertomeu who is under a lot of pressure.
“The club insist this is a long-term game, but they now realise that €222m in the bank doesn’t necessarily get you what you want. The Reds clearly have the upper hand.”
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