Philippe Coutinho does not have an escape clause in his contract, ensuring Liverpool are in a powerful position to retain their influential playmaker next summer despite purported interest from Barcelona. The absence of a buy-out figure leaves Liverpool holding the aces and the club’s resolve to keep the talented Coutinho, whose current deal does not expire until 2020, would be strong in the event of interest from Europe’s elite being firmed up. We have been friends for years and each day I think we are made to play with each other moreFenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s American owners, would be entirely guided by manager Jürgen Klopp should a bid be forthcoming. Paris Saint-Germain had been linked with a move for Coutinho this summer, while speculation Barcelona will target him has been building despite the considerable presence of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar already being…

Source: The Times November 11, 2016 12:01 UTC