Barcelona News: Liverpool would have been embarrassed selling Philippe Coutinho – McGarry

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group issued a statement early in the transfer window confirming Coutinho was going nowhere.

The Reds rejected bids of £87million and £92m for Coutinho, before Barca offered £118m.

Still Liverpool declined and Barca claim the Merseyside outfit eventually demanded £183m on deadline day – something Liverpool deny.

And journalist Ian McGarry believes Liverpool dug themselves in a position where they had to keep Coutinho in order to save face.

“It’s been interesting to see,” McGarry told The Transfer Window podcast.

“Let’s be clear. The people who have been most vehemently denying (the transfer) are the people closest to Liverpool.

“So if Liverpool were to sell Coutinho they would have put those people in a very embarrassing, humiliating position.

“Not just from the fans but for most people.

“Liverpool couldn’t afford to lose that face and influence.”

Coutinho handed in a transfer request in an effort to join Barcelona and waited in Brazil on Friday hoping a deal would be struck.

But Liverpool refused to do business and will expect Coutinho back at training after the international break.

Coutinho is yet to play for the club this season due to a back injury.

However, that injury was questioned by Brazil’s team doctor, who said there was nothing physically wrong with the 25-year-old and that he was suffering from stress.