Danny Murphy says Liverpool must cash in on Coutinho

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Danny Murphy says he predicts Liverpool will cash in on Coutinho.

Philippe Coutinho came close to leaving Liverpool in the summer amid heavy interest from Barcelona.

Huge bids from Barcelona were rejected by the Reds, with the Catalan giants’ efforts funded by the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.

Now Liverpool could have to rebuff further advances in January.

Former midfielder Danny Murphy believes they should not bother, and simply cash in on the Brazilian.

He believes that while Coutinho clearly improves the Liverpool team, the opportunity is too high, and the funds could be used to make the Reds better in other areas.

Murphy told askfans.co.uk: “With Coutinho and Liverpool, if selling him is going to give them a treasure chest to sort out the defence, I’d probably think about doing it.

“Even though he makes the team better, you’ve got Lallana to come back, Firmino is then doing better than anyone thought he would, you’ve still got Sturridge there, Mane and then Salah.

“I’m a numbers man when it comes to creativity and when it comes to Coutinho – they’re not great you know. His best ever assists is 13 I think.

“So, although Coutinho is making Liverpool better because he has so much quality, if someone is offering you over the top, you’ve got to start thinking about what you can do with that money.”

Murphy added that he believes Coutinho will leave, providing Liverpool get encouragement regarding their own transfer targets, which are more difficult to acquire in the mid-season window.

“I think he’ll go. I think he’ll only go in January if Liverpool feel they can use the money and that’s a lot to do with recruitment again. Who can you get in January?

“Would Southampton let Van Dijk go? If you are looking for a new striker, would Dortmund let Aubameyang go. That’s what they will try and find out.”

The 25-year-old playmaker has hit form for the Reds in recent weeks, scoring four goals and providing four assists in eight Premier League games.

He scored a hat-trick tonight in the club’s Champions League demolition of Spartak Moscow.

The transfer window is the last thing Liverpool need if their resolve is to hang onto him, but they have had months to plan for this eventuality, and should have established a clear plan to sign replacements if they decide to sell.