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Liverpool news LIVE updates: Coutinho to Barcelona agreed claim, three deals rejected
LIVERPOOL news is coming thick and fast with the Reds currently gearing up for Friday’s game with Arsenal. Express Sport brings you all the latest from Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho could earn as much as £200,000 a week at Barcelona
LIVERPOOL NEWS LIVE: Latest updates on Coutinho to Barcelona and other gossip
Wednesday December 20
Salah to Real latest
21:50: Gareth Bale has fears about Real Madrid’s interest in Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah.
At least that’s what Don Balon say, with Florentino Perez said to be driving the La Liga giants’ interest in the Egyptian.
Bale has missed more than 300 days during his stint at Real due to a series of injury problems.
And Salah has been lined up as a big-money replacement having impressed so far at Anfield.
Bale is determined to prove his value to Real and convince them not to pursue a deal for Salah.
Klopp praises Ox
21:00: Jurgen Klopp insists he is happy with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s start to life at Liverpool.
Klopp said: “He had to adapt.
“He did well from the first day, but I know how it is if you’re kind of a big signing - then everybody expects you immediately on the pitch, and when you are on the pitch, then you have to perform immediately. But it’s difficult. A lot of things are difficult.
“I was happy from the first day about his involvement, about his attitude, and since then he became more and more a Liverpool player.”
Paulinho praises Coutinho
19:04: Paulinho would love to play alongside Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona,
Asked about his compatriot coming to join him at Barca, Paulinho told Mundo Deportivo : "I've already talked a few times about the Coutinho question.
"Everyone expects the great players to come to Barcelona, we have a very strong group of great players, without Coutinho people are doing a great job.
"On Coutinho it is not necessary to say much, he is a great player who has been making a difference in his team, in the Brazilian team. He is young but with experience in Europe.
"I want him to come, I think it would be a great contract for Barca. It would be a great happiness for me, because we would have another great player and another Brazilian."
Liverpool news LIVE updates
Liverpool prepare Lemar bid
16:38: Liverpool are prepared to launch a huge bid for Monaco star Thomas Lemar in January as they look set to battle Arsenal for his signature.
Both clubs are looking to renew their interest in the £90m-rated star having failed to sign him in the summer.
According to the Independent, Lemar is now prepared to snub a move to the Emirates once again in favour of joining Liverpool.
But the Reds will need to fork out around £90m for Monaco to even consider doing business.
Klopp on signing a defender
15:35: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has refused to reveal if Liverpool will go in for a new defender in the transfer window.
Pressed on whether Liverpool would make a defensive signing (or two) in January, Klopp said: "When we defend well, I’m happy and when we defend badly I am not, but I don’t think the solution is just to sign a player like that.
"I am a supporter but I cannot be a supporter in this way - I cannot change my mind like that."
Coutinho to Barcelona update
12:16: Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona will just not go away.
And Catalan newspaper Sport say a deal is edging closer.
The player has supposedly agreed to move to La Liga on a five-year deal.
He will also supposedly be paid £10.6million a year, which works out at roughly £200,000 a week.
Liverpool loan
12:00: Ben Woodburn will be allowed to leave Liverpool on loan in January.
The Wales international is not getting much game time at Anfield at the moment.
And the Daily Mail claim Jurgen Klopp is willing to sanction a move next month.
Huddersfield Town, Leeds United and Hannover are all supposedly interested.
Liverpool rejected three deals
11:30: Liverpool have rejected three Barcelona players, according to reports.
The Catalan giants are determined to seal a deal for Philippe Coutinho.
And Spanish outlet Don Balon claims they are willing to include players as part of a deal.
So far, they have offered them Paco Alcocer, Andre Gomes and Arda Turan.
But Liverpool would prefer to sign Ivan Rakitic instead.
Keita praised
11:15: Naby Keita has been praised by Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
The RB Leipzig star will move to Anfield at the end of the season.
And Mane said: “It just came normally, because we speak the same language and were close neighbours, Guinea and Senegal.
“When he came we lived [in the] same area in Salzburg, so we were always together: sometimes he came to my house, I’d go to his house.
“We didn’t even speak German, but we had someone who took care of us. But I was better than him!
“We were so close. He’s not even a friend for me, he’s like a brother. We keep in touch all the time, talking.
“He asked me ‘how is the club?’, I said ‘unbelievable’. I don’t think it was me who convinced him, but the team, the club.
“I’m excited. I have to wait until next season! We are lucky to have him because he’s an unbelievable player—you will see.”
Good morning
11:00: Good morning and welcome to Express Sport’s LIVE Liverpool news blog.
The Reds are currently preparing for Friday’s crunch showdown with Arsenal.
But, in the meantime, there are several updates on Philippe Coutinho and Barcelona’s interest in him.
So stay tuned for all the latest from Anfield.