It will be “nigh-on impossible” for Liverpool to keep Philippe Coutinho.
That is the verdict of the Craig Bellamy after Barcelona’s second £90m for the Brazilian was rejected on Thursday night; according to The Mirror.
The Reds are defiant that they will keep hold of the 25-year-old playmaker with manager Jurgen Klopp determined to keep him.
But the Catalan giants have money to spend after selling Neymar to PSG last week in a world record £199million deal.
Bellamy admits Liverpool still face a huge challenge in keeping hold of their prize asset.
"Liverpool are going to stay firm," Bellamy told new Sky Sports show The Debate.
"But it's still early in the transfer window, and how long can they stay firm for?
"No supporter wants to hear this, everyone thinks their team is the biggest, and rightly so, but this is Barcelona.
If they come calling, it's very difficult for players to turn down.
"This is Coutinho, who has the opportunity to play with Lionel Messi, the best player to play football, to go to one of the best clubs in football.
How can you look him in the eyes and tell him this isn't an improvement on him? To tell him this isn't what you deserve?
"This is the difference. With Liverpool you've got the chance of competing in the Champions League, but there's a chance of realistically going to win the Champions League with Barcelona . It's nigh-on impossible to turn them down."
Joining Bellamy on the show was former Manchester United favourite Phil Neville.
Speaking of Coutinho, the ex-Everton captain said: "I think he'll want it now.
It's Barcelona; when they come, you go.
“I think he's good enough for Barcelona, he has the characteristics, skill and technique to fit in there.”
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