17 Aug 2017 01:30:34
Okay some bad news. Barcelona manager had just came out and said Dembele and Coutinho are close.

1.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 04:23:50
It owuldn't exactly be a shock if Coutinho did leave mate this is not out of the blue.

2.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 07:11:36
if it happens, it happens at this point. can also look at it this way - vvd and that kid from leipzig were "close" like 5 times each.

3.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 07:25:35
He'd have to say something to appease the fans after the thumping they got last night!

4.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 08:14:47
Don't believe the hype, OP. Barcelona are in decline as it stands right now and with the shalacking they received from Real (w/ o RM breaking a sweat, really), something needed to be done to calm the socios down as they are out for blood. I do know that Dembele is nearly done. As for Cou, FSG have stood their ground so we'll see what happens.

5.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 08:40:33
I don't see why you'd want to keep him at the club personally, if he wants to move and its his dream, hardly going to be a good atmosphere around the club if you force him to stay. Should thank him for the service and keep it amiable!

6.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 08:41:44
For the record, Gomes and Rakitic played last night and were utterly woeful. I would hope that brings to an end the idea that they would be acceptable in a swap.

7.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 09:23:53
Didn't need to watch the game to know that Raki and Gomez are crap, Dennis. Barcelona wants rid for a reason.

8.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 09:53:29
DeanW - because we cannot replace him at this point in time and he made the decision to try and force a move the day before the start of the season. The second part alone should mean he's forced to stay with us and shouldn't have too much issue with it - I know he's been interested in Barcelona for a while but the day before the season starting to come out with crap like 'problems with klopp for six months' and demanding a move is unacceptable.

9.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 10:15:39
Take away all the issues with letting Coutinho go, not being able to replace him etc. I hope we stand our ground just so that somebody turns around to Barcelona and says no. They might not have tapped Coutinho up but they haven't shown Liverpool any respect in the way they've gone about trying to sign him. We have him on a 5 year deal, it's World Cup year, we don't need the money so keep a strong position and don't sell him. He won't sulk unless he wants to lose his place in the Brazil team. Before anyone says it either I don't condone how we've gone about trying to sign players either.

10.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 10:23:16
He couldn't put a transfer request in before Barcelona had put an offer in, if what the Ed's have said is true its been on the cards for a year, and hardly surprising that a top class player is getting looked at by richer clubs! So that's management issues

He is a good player, but I don't believe scoring goals is our issue, so I personally don't see a huge requirement for "replacing" him. After all surely our defense is the worry right now! plus we have 2 weeks of the transfer market left, plenty of time to sign someone if we don't constantly dither around.

11.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 12:40:13
I think we've already seen Barcelona will use all kinds of spin to try to appease their fans and get what they want including briefing the press and releasing false propaganda. I'd take it all with a pinch of salt until any official announcements are made. Either way just chill we'll be just fine.