Liverpool fans have been watching the soap opera unfold for weeks now. Philippe Coutinho to join Barcelona, Liverpool to hold onto Coutinho, Coutinho requests transfer to Barcelona, Liverpool reject Barca offers, and on and on and on. Coutinho hasn't played for Liverpool in a month due to a mysterious back injury that miraculously healed instantly when he joined Brazil for the International break.
Stories out of Spain report that Barcelona are still confident they will land their target and will prepare another bid to present to Liverpool. Part of Liverpool's reluctance to sell is not only because of the loss of a great player, but also do to the precedent it would set. What happens next year if Madrid come calling for Sadio Mane? Liverpool want to take a firm position and tell both their players and other clubs that they will only sell players they wish to sell and will not be bullied into selling players.
There is a new twist to the drama. Philippe Coutinho is good friends with former Barcelona star Neymar. The Barcelona / Neymar relationship ended in a bitter divorce when Neymar left for PSG. In fact, there are lawsuits now between the two. The experience has resulted in Neymar speaking outwardly about his disdain for Barcelona management. He loves the Barcelona supporters and his former teammates but does not have a nice word to say about the Barcelona management.
So how does this impact Coutinho? Again, he is good friends with Neymar. And, now the two friends are together in Brazil, training and preparing for World Cup qualifiers. During this entire International break, Neymar will be talking to his good friend about Barcelona. And what he is saying to Coutinho is not good if you are a Barcelona supporter. Reports are that Neymar has told Coutinho he will not regret the fact that Liverpool did not allow Coutinho to transfer to Barcelona. Even more, Neymar reportedly told Coutinho he should never join Barcelona.
How will this latest twist impact Coutinho? Only time will tell. However, Coutinho is good friends with Neymar, he trusts him, so one would think Neymar's experience with Barcelona and advice to Coutinho will carry a lot of weight. My guess as to how Coutinho returns to Liverpool if a sale does not go through? I believe Coutinho will say he was truly injured, he never wanted to leave Liverpool and never spoke negatively about the club or about Klopp and all of the reports were rumor and hearsay. Stay tuned.....