According to The Daily Mirror, Barcelona still owe Liverpool a whopping ₤35.5 million for midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
The Spanish club recently published their official financial accounts, demonstrating the debt that they still owe. Ronald Koeman’s side still needs to pay nearly ₤174 million in transfer fees for the signings of Frenkie de Jong, Malcolm, Arthur Melo, and many more.
In January 2018, Liverpool agreed to sell Coutinho to Barcelona for ₤105 million upfront, rising to ₤142 million. This still stands as the third most expensive transfer of all-time behind those of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Coutinho’s performances at Barcelona have clearly not justified the price tag, while Liverpool used the money to cover the costs of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson. Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semifinals eerily represented the direction the two clubs have headed ever since.
What this means for Liverpool
For a Liverpool side in dire need of a centre-back, this could be a good reminder of the money available to them.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has shorted the club of over ₤100 million in matchday revenues, just a small portion of this ₤35.5 million could be used to cover a cheap centre-back purchase or a loan.
With Liverpool facing their worst spell under Jurgen Klopp, the time to buy has never been more pressing. Whether or not Liverpool choose to change course and dive into the transfer market could determine the fate of their season.
