Liverpool Legend Advises Klopp To Sign Isco Or Mata As Coutinho Replacement
Reuters/Craig Brough
Former Liverpool player Dean Saunders feels that Juan Mata should replace Philippe Coutinho at Anfield.
With talks of Coutinho’s transfer to Barcelona gathering pace, Liverpool legend Dean Saunders has asked the club to look for capable replacements.
The Brazilian midfielder is in line to replace Neymar at Camp Nou, who is believed to be in the final phase of completing a transfer. Moreover, Neymar’s training ground bust-up with the new arrival Nelson Semedo, has all but confirmed that the Brazilian is on his way out.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have concerns of their own, as they set out to look for replacement for their talismanic playmaker. However, former Liverpool player Saunders feels that Coutinho is perfectly replaceable with a number of options available in the market.
While talking to talkSPORT, Saunders said: “£100 million, sell him [Coutinho]. For me, he’s replaceable. You could sign Isco for £30 million. He’s not going to get a game at Real Madrid. Juan Mata, Gylfi Sigurdsson – there are players you could sign to replace Coutinho.”
REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Saunders also reflected on Suarez’s transfer, by saying: “(Luis) Suarez was irreplaceable. Certain players are irreplaceable. I like Coutinho. The last game I watched he was brilliant but £100 million? Once they knock the door as a player he’s gone.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool had recently turned down a £72 million bid made by Barcelona for Coutinho. The club maintains that their star player is not for sale during this transfer window. It would be interesting to see how the Reds will react to an improved offer, which is imminent, as per several reports.
Written by Shorya Panwar 
Has 20+ years of experience managing Schalke in Football Manager 2017. Believes wing-backs are the most complete footballers in the modern/evolved football. Writes weird stuff on his personal blog.
Mata! Are you nuts ?