Liverpool Is Not Selling Coutinho – Klopp

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have assured him the club will not listen to any offers for Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho has continued to be linked with a big-money move to Barcelona, despite signing a new five-year contract at Liverpool in January.

Sources told ESPN FC that the Brazil international’s new deal at Anfield made him the highest-paid player at the club, earning around £150,000 per week, and did not include a buyout clause.

Klopp has shrugged off speculation linking Coutinho with a move away, joking that it would take a transfer fee of around £400 million to sign him.

The Liverpool manager said: “When did he sign his new contract? So that would be a nice idea. With a £400 million clause!

“There are absolutely no plans. What our owners say is there is the absolute opportunity not to sell anybody if we do not want to. That means we can bring in others players and it is a good situation.

“We have a stable squad with a good basis. We want to bring a few in with fresh blood, but nobody will leave us without our say so I am completely relaxed about this.”

Speaking in January, Coutinho told the Daily Mail that his new long-term contract gave him the opportunity to establish himself as a legend of the Merseyside club.

“I understand what Liverpool means,” the 24-year-old said. “We can say [Kenny] Dalglish, [Ian] Rush, [Alan] Hansen, [Graeme] Souness, [Luis] Suarez, [Steven] Gerrard. I’ve been here quite a few years already, it’s not like I am new. I understand.

“To have signed a new contract at this club, my goal is to be thought of one day in the same way as these players. They are legends. You define the success of a player by his loyalty or his titles. Or both. In order to be part of this group, I have so much to do.

“I want to win titles. Five years is my new contract … it gives me that opportunity.”

In addition to new signings Klopp will be looking forward to seeing forward Sadio Mane fit again for preseason after his campaign was ended by a knee injury in April which required surgery.

The Senegal international has proved to be a key figure having arrived from Southampton for £30m last summer and is still the club’s leading scorer, despite missing the whole of January due to the African Nations Cup and then sustaining a knee problem which ensured he sat out the final eight matches of the season.

His influence was recognised at the club’s awards night where he was named both players’ player and supporters’ player of the year.

“It means so much to me. I feel at home at this club and in this city,” said the 25-year-old.

“I have enjoyed playing football for this great team. It was the fact that I’m playing alongside so many great players here that meant I was able to settle so quickly.

“My teammates, the staff, the manager and the supporters have all made me feel so welcome since I joined the club.

“I have loved every minute of playing for Liverpool this season and can’t wait to get back fit to help the team again.”

Mane is already looking at stepping up his recovery and is confident his teammates can deliver Champions League football next season with six points from their final two matches guaranteeing their top-four place.

“It’s getting better, much better. The operation went well. Soon I will be running again and I should be fine for the start of preseason,” he added.

“Every player wants to play every game but injuries are part of football and I just have to accept it.

“It’s frustrating being out and having to watch, but my team-mates are still doing a great job on the pitch.

“I am very confident that they will get the points we need from the final two matches to get us in the top four.

“We have a great manager and he knows what is required. We all want to get this club into the Champions League.”