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Liverpool news LIVE updates: Coutinho joins Barcelona, Wijnaldum sends message, FA Cup tie
LIVERPOOL NEWS is hotting up as we enter the January window and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest from Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho discussed his move from Liverpool to Barcelona today
Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest from Anfield
Monday 8 January
FA Cup fourth round draw
20:16: Liverpool have been handed a tricky FA Cup fourth round tie against West Brom.
Liverpool were first out of the pot for the draw today.
The Baggies have enjoyed a revival since Alan Pardew took over as manager.
Liverpool haven’t won the trophy since 2006.
Liverpool have money
18:13: So, what now for Liverpool? They have £142million coming their way.
An estimated £105m is going straight into the Reds’ coffers. That’s a lot of money.
Liverpool have already spent £75m on Virgil van Dijk.
If we assume they have offset that outlay with the Coutinho income, they theoretically have £40m to play with this winter.
Naby Keita is already coming in next summer to replace Coutinho, so where should Liverpool strengthen?
Leave a comment in our section below with what you reckon Jurgen Klopp should do with the cash.
Salah sale angered actor
16:10: Italian actor and director Carlo Verdone has revealed his anger when he heard the news his beloved Roma had sold Mohamed Salah to Liverpool.
Salah enjoyed a career revival at Roma but was sold to Liverpool for £46m last summer.
He has gone on to be one of the top performers in the Premier League this season.
"Rome did not have to sell Salah,” Roma fanatic Verdone told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“When I learned of his sale, I threw the phone that was in my hands, so angry was I with rage.
“Doing that meant we lost pace and we needed to find it again.
“In fact, Roma’s game today is now based on slow, horizontal phases, so we never score.”
Philippe Coutinho is a Liverpool player no more
#CoutinhoDay
15:18: Put it in your diaries folks! Barcelona have been using the hashtag #CoutinhoDay all day in their social media posts.
As transfer hashtags go it’s not quite as good as #Pogback but it puts #GunnerGranit in its place!
Coutinho’s official press conference has now ended.
Coutinho thanks Liverpool
14.20: Philippe Coutinho has thanked Liverpool for letting him realise his dream of playing for Barcelona.
Coutinho has been unveiled as a Barcelona player after completing his £142m transfer from Liverpool.
Coutinho becomes the second-most expensive player of all time and leaves Liverpool after five years.
He is excited about starting for Barcelona, but will have to wait around three weeks for his debut.
And he has thanked Liverpool for letting him make his move.
"I was always clear from the beginning and I want to thank everyone who understood what my desire was,” Coutinho said.
“I want to thank everyone at Liverpool and I want to get playing again.
"I gave everything I could. Unfortunately they couldn't win but I lived there for five years, my family was very happy there, I would like to thank them again."
Philippe Coutinho poses on the pitch in a Barcelona shirt
Coutinho done deal
13:30: Philippe Coutinho has been presented to Barcelona fans after completing his £142million move.
"I want to thank the president and all those who have made possible the signing,” he said.
"I am very happy, it is a dream come true and I hope to meet all expectations in the field."
Wijnaldum hails Coutinho
12:30: Gini Wijnaldum has broken the silence of Liverpool players on Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona.
The Dutchman posted a picture of the pair on Instagram with the caption: “It’s been a pleasure playing with you and watching you playing.
“My very best wishes for the future.”
Firmino Holgate incident
11:00: Referee Bobby Madley reportedly concluded Roberto Firmino did NOT racially abuse Mason Holgate in his FA Cup post-match report.
Firmino and Holgate were involved in a heated war of words after the Everton defender shoved the Liverpool attacker and sparked a tense face-off.
Firming has been accused of racially abusing Holgate but the Sunday Mirror claim Madley wrote in his post-match report that no racial slur had been used by the Liverpool star.
Mahrez update
10:00: Riyad Mahrez is now odds-on at 2/5 to swap Leicester for Liverpool, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes.
Mahrez has been linked with a move to Anfield as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho and the bookies believe a deal is close.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It's been a huge weekend as far as transfer betting goes, with several players now looking more likely than ever for big money moves."
Is Riyad Mahrez on his way to Liverpool?
Coutinho to make Liverpool return
09:30: Barcelona-bound Philippe Coutinho says he plans to return to Liverpool and say a final goodbye to the club.
“I gave 100 per cent, 100 per cent of the time I played for Liverpool,” Coutinho told the Daily Mail.
“Five years, I did everything I could possibly do. I love this club, but it is time for a new adventure.
“I have so many memories and have so many people to thank at Liverpool. I have to improve as a player. In my head, I always think this.
“I understand the size of the task ahead, the cost of the transfer, the status of the deal but this is about ambition, dreams. I want to play with the best player in the world.
“But I will return to Liverpool to say goodbye, to my team-mates, to staff and to the people who helped me and my family. I owe them a lot.
“Now I am looking forward. It's time. Yes, it's time.”
Keita blow
09:00: Liverpool’s attempts to keep Philippe Coutinho at the club until the end of the season came because they were unable to sign Naby Keita.
The Reds agreed to sell Coutinho to Barcelona for £142million and are looking to replace him with a top quality addition.
A deal is already in place for Keita to join in the summer but Spanish outlet AS say Liverpool wanted to move forward his arrival however they were unsuccessful.