With speculation linking Philippe Coutinho with a move to Barcelona continuing, Liverpool supporters have issued a warning to the club’s owners.
Reports on Monday afternoon claimed Coutinho is eager to join the Spanish giants, who are searching for a replacement for Neymar this month.
Barcelona have already seen a £72 million bid for the playmaker rejected in July, but after receiving a £200 million payment from Paris Saint-Germain, are set to return with an improved offer.
Coutinho has gradually established himself as arguably Liverpool’s best and most important player, with Jurgen Klopp earmarking him for a focal role in his midfield in 2017/18.
And responding to persistent reports of a possible departure this summer, supporters have taken to social media to express their concern.
Primarily, criticism has been levelled at owners Fenway Sports Group, with a failure to hold on to Coutinho this summer deemed disastrous—and, for some, the point of no return.
Make or break 25 days for FSG now. If Coutinho is sold then Keita and VVD *have* to be signed or the club look incredibly weak.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 6, 2017
IF Coutinho goes and there are to be no more signings FSG better take cover. The fallout will be fucking ugly.
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) August 6, 2017
“‘Coutinho is not for sale’
‘FSG have assured Klopp Coutinho won’t be sold this summer’
Big few weeks ahead for FSG to keep their word.”
– Scicluna Darren on Facebook.
#LFC fans if FSG sell Coutinho pic.twitter.com/dy4gPr1HN5
— Ste ?? (@MogesticMo) August 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Purrmino/status/894576041771118593
Even if we keep Coutinho and don't sign anyone it's been a disaster of a window and if Coutinho leaves, FSG will be fucked….
— . (@ad313h) August 7, 2017
We went from a £200 million madness to losing out on Keita, possibly losing out in Van Dijk and possibly losing Coutinho.
Liverpool FC.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) August 7, 2017
“Need to stand firm for this season, everyone has with us…don’t see him going this term but if we don’t produce in the coming season wont be here next year, but FSG maybe seeing £ signs so fingers crossed if they let him go we will know where their heads are.”
– Gary Merrell on Facebook.
https://twitter.com/boundbymusicceo/status/894571401734127616
https://twitter.com/LallanaLad/status/894576812352843777
“IF FSG sell him and we have no other transfer movement this window then it’ll go medieval. I’m talking scorched earth! To quote Les Grossman.”
– Foldy on the forums.
https://twitter.com/MalikLFC19/status/894562742291640321
https://twitter.com/CoutskiIl/status/894294293015351297
“FSG have no ambitions of winning any trophies and as long as the books add up they are happy. I hope and pray someone with best interests of the club comes in and buy them out otherwise they will just keep on selling our best players.”
– Faisal Miah on Facebook.
https://twitter.com/JoshWoogs/status/894550838030606336
However, there were some who took a more business-minded, rational approach to speculation, whether in defence of FSG or not…
I get why #Coutinho would want to go to Barca and if Barca offered 100m I get why FSG could be tempted, we only paid 8m AFAIK.
— Moley (@Moley_LFC) August 7, 2017
“I am pretty sure FSG knows how much he means to us, the fans. So let’s not think they don’t know, so let’s not panic till it happens.”
– lfc.eddie on the forums.
Lots of tweets with "FSG only interested in profit". If so, they're not very good at it. +£20m losses in 4 of 6 FYs since #lfc takeover.
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) August 7, 2017
The more serious point is that they're interested in #lfc as a long-term investment and (a) that's not a surprise and (b) isn't a problem.
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) August 7, 2017
“No matter how big we think LFC are they are not in the same ball park as Barcelona right now. This is a bigger move for Coutinho even than anywhere in this league. He has been with us for 4 and a half years and achieved nothing. He is more ambitious than our owners are and no one should be blaming him for wanting to win trophies.”
– Ian Kewin on Facebook.
https://twitter.com/SherlinGovender/status/894581486568914946
If Coutinho were to leave Liverpool this summer, it would be hugely frustrating setback for Klopp, particularly after the playmaker signed a new five-year deal at the beginning of the year.
Supporters’ fears are valid, and the hope will be that FSG maintain their hardline stance over the 25-year-old’s immediate future.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk‘s transfer request at Southampton on Monday evening has provided the owners with another major opportunity to underline their commitment.
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