Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp have insisted that club will not sell players they want to keep.
➤Barcelona submit £72m bid for Philippe Coutinho.
➤LIVERPOOL will reject a £72million bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho.
The Daily Mail earlier reported that Barcelona have tested Liverpool’s resolve by making a £72m (80m euros) offer.
The report says Barcelona view Coutinho as the natural replacement for Andres Iniesta, who turned 33 earlier this year and is in the last year of his contract.
But Liverpool are determined to keep hold of the 25-year-old believing the offer does not reflect his worth.
Earlier this week Klopp insisted Liverpool would not sell any players they wanted to keep.
Also see: Klopp reaction when asked if he's going to sign Van Dijk
Also see: Klopp reaction when asked if he's going to sign Van Dijk
“Not with only Phil [Coutinho], but it’s a good thing to talk about in the transfer window because the world thinks improving is only about bringing in new players,” Klopp said.
“Nobody thinks that the players we already have will make the next step, which is also a nice idea.
“We use the transfer window, of course, because it gives us an opportunity, but the main thing I think about is how we can make the next step with the players we had last season.
“The good news is we didn’t lose - and we will not lose - a player we want to keep this summer. That’s the best news actually and then we’ll see who can bring into the squad.
“I expect a lot of progress from the players based on their experiences from the last years.”
In January Coutinho signed a new five-year contract worth around £8m-a-year to the delight of Jurgen Klopp.
But Barcelona have long been linked with the Brazil international and he is good friends with Neymar.