Liverpool FC transfer news: Phil Thompson wants Philippe Coutinho back at Liverpool
Former Liverpool star Phil Thompson is willing to give Philippe Coutinho another chance after his struggles in Barcelona.
The Brazilian attacker left the Reds more than a season ago in the winter window but has not been able to match his achievements during his spell here.
The Metro claims that the Catalans are willing to sell Coutinho in the summer, and the Brazilian has been jeered by the fans in recent weeks.
Coutinho went missing over the two Champions League ties against the Reds this season, and the report adds that Chelsea are interested in the Brazilian should their transfer ban be lifted.
Thompson, however, wants to sign the 26-year-old now and believes Liverpool could use him in the right manner, while speaking to Sky Sports (h/t Metro):
“I would take him back in a heartbeat, but it would have to be now. You don’t want to leave it another 12 months, I think he still has the ability.”
The former Liverpool star added that Barcelona have been playing him out wide while his best comes out when he is deployed in the midfield.
Thompson hopeful of a buy-back clause
Thompson believes Coutinho has that extra in his game, which could unlock some of the tighter defences.
The former Liverpool star added that Coutinho could score some important goals that would get us the win, and hoped we included a buy-back clause to get him on the cheap:
“Knowing our club, we’ve been very shrewd, maybe there’s a buy-back clause in there for maybe less than half what we sold him.”
Liverpool don’t have any major problem areas in this squad, apart from bench strength. The Reds ended the Premier League campaign with a record 97 points and play Tottenham in the Champions League final.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned to fitness while Naby Keita was doing well before his injury. The pair can rotate for the attacking midfielder’s role, and it will be interesting to see if we sign someone for this position in the summer.
