Danny Murphy gives three reasons why Liverpool should sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona

Liverpool hero Danny Murphy has identified three reasons why selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona makes sense.

Philippe Coutinho is currently in Munich on the latest leg of Liverpool’s pre-season tour

His views come amid intense speculation that the Brazil international could be set for a blockbuster move to the Nou Camp.

The playmaker has been linked with Barcelona for some time but recent reports suggest that interest will be solidified with an £80million bid.

Other reports have suggested that the player has even agreed personal terms with the Catalan side.

 

Coutinho is said to be keen on the idea of getting on his bike to Barcelona (Getty)

 

Liverpool have so far made it clear they have no intention of selling a player who only signed a new long-term contract at Anfield in January.

Reports suggest the Reds have even gone as far as slapping a £133m price tag on the 25-year-old to ward Barcelona off.

The former midfielder suggests it is unwise to keep players who wish to be elsewhere, a fee in excess of £80m would be excellent business for someone bought in 2013 for £8.5m and a replacement may actually make a bigger contribution to the team.

‘There comes a point where if a player expresses a desire to go, there is sense in getting as much money as you can for him,’ Murphy told TalkSport.

‘He’s not worth £150m, could they get £100m for him? Maybe.

‘If Barca are prepared to pay over £80m for Coutinho, I think that’s good business.’

Murphy went on: ‘They’d lose a bit of creativity that Coutinho brings, but there are players out there you could get for less money who might give you just as much output.

‘Coutinho scored 14 goals last season and that was his best return.

 

Danny Murphy during his time at Anfield 

‘If they get £80m or £90m, you’d think they’d sign someone else. We’re hypothesising, but the goals and assists those players get might double or treble what Coutinho was bringing in, and you’ve also not got a player sat there unhappy.

‘I’m not saying Liverpool should get rid of Coutinho, because he’s a wonderful footballer and there’s no doubt about that.

‘But if he wants to go and we get £80m for him, I’d take that.’

Coutinho has starred in Liverpool’s pre-season matches so far and can expect to be involved when the Reds take on Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Liverpool’s first game of the season is against Watford on Saturday 12 August.