Philippe Coutinho 'likely' to leave Barcelona claims expert
That’s the view of Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, with Liverpool currently top of the Premier League.
The Reds could win their first title since 1990 having come close in 2014 with Coutinho starring.
The Brazilian went on to be sold to Barcelona in 2018 after impressing at Anfield.
Many expected Liverpool to struggle following Coutinho’s departure but the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have ensured the 26-year-old has not been missed.
It’s come under Klopp with some suggesting the German could leave this summer if a trophy is not won.
But Stelling believes it would be foolish for Anfield chiefs to let him go, with the former Borussia Dortmund boss showing his full worth since Coutinho’s exit.
“Unless Klopp wants to leave, and I don’t see that, they carry on with him and carry on making improvements,” Stelling told Express Sport.
“Coutinho left and you thought ‘My God, what will happen without him?’
“Well the answer is nothing, they got better.
Jurgen Klopp proved one thing after Philippe Coutinho Liverpool exit - Stelling EXCLUSIVE (Image: GETTY)
Jeff Stelling believes Jurgen Klopp has improved Liverpool despite Philippe Coutinho's exit (Image: ALAN WALTER)
“I’ve got no doubt they’ll be just as good, or better, next season. I’m sure they’ll recruit well.”
Coutinho has struggled at Barcelona and been linked with a return to the Premier League.
Some reports suggest he could even return to Anfield with Chelsea and Manchester United also believed to be keen.
But pundit Craig Burley believes Liverpool may not be interested in re-signing the Brazilian.
“He was the top guy at Liverpool, now he’s in there with other guys who are pulling the strings,” he said.
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Philippe Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool last January (Image: GETTY)
“It’s not easy and it has been difficult for him.
“I’ll say it’s possible [for Coutinho to return to England].
“I think he might have another year at Barcelona but I don’t know if Liverpool would take him back, I don’t know if they’d want him back.”
Jeff Stelling will be embarking on his third March for Men for Prostate Cancer UK on 5-8 September, this time walking four marathons in four countries in four days. Football fans in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and London will have the option to join him in an epic series of marathon marches as he aims to take his fundraising total since 2016 to £1m. Find out more about Jeff’s March for Men and Prostate Cancer UK’s wider walking programme at marchformen.org.