Liverpool fans present desperate flawed Philippe Coutinho argument on Alexander Isak sale | OneFootball

Liverpool fans have presented many weird and wonderful justifications, as to why they and their club have done nothing wrong in this Alexander Isak saga.

Instead, it is all on Newcastle United and NUFC fans, apparently.

If only we could wake up and smell the coffee, see the patently obvious with this Alexander Isak situation, as Liverpool fans carefully explain to us.

One of their key arguments is the Philippe Coutinho one.

Liverpool fans declare, ‘We lost him when he forced his move to Barcelona and look what happened next, you should do the same with Alexander Isak, wake up Newcastle United fans, this makes obvious sense.’

Back in August 2017, Liverpool rejected a £72million bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho.

Desperate to leave Anfield, Philippe Coutinho put in a written transfer request, meaning that if/when a move did happen, the player was giving up a serious amount of money he would otherwise have been entitled to if moving elsewhere.

Barcelona went on to make two more, ever higher, bids but these were also rejected.

Barcelona director Albert Soler revealed that Liverpool were insisting on £183million for Philippe Coutinho. No transfer happening in that summer 2017 window, as Liverpool refused to allow their star player to move and he was forced to stay at Anfield.

Barcelona didn’t give up though and on 6 January 2018, Phillipe Coutinho moved to Barca in a £142million deal.

In his final four (three and a half) seasons at the club, Philippe Coutinho and Liverpool finished 6th, 8th, 4th, 4th in the Premier League.

In the seasons that have followed with Philippe Coutinho no longer involved, Liverpool have finished 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 5th, 3rd, 1st.

The argument from Liverpool fans is that Newcastle United fans should note, that Liverpool used the Philippe Coutinho money to buy Van Dijk and Alisson, with some change left over towards paying for other signings, the net result that the scousers have gone from also-rans to title winners thanks to that transfer dealing.

As with all great lies, there is some truth in this.

The signings of Van Dijk and Alisson DID help Liverpool win the Premier League.

It is also true of course that the transfer fee received from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho helped fund the signings that improved Liverpool overall.

However, when you start comparing it to the Alexander Isak situation, things fall apart with the argument presented by Liverpool fans.

When Barcelona agreed a £142million deal almost eight years ago, that was extraordinary money. Arguably too good for any club to turn down, for any player.

Almost eight years on and Liverpool fans are calling Newcastle United and their fans foolish for not doing the obvious thing and taking the £110million that Liverpool have offered for Alexander Isak. Bank that money and then use it for the transfer targets that will then make Newcastle United a stronger team and squad overall.

A few problems there…

Never mind £150m for Alexander Isak. The £142million than Liverpool were offered for Philippe Coutinho is now the equivalent of around £250million, when you take football inflation into account.

Indeed, Liverpool have already paid £116million in this transfer window for Florian Wirtz, somebody who had never played in the Premier League, only the much weaker Bundesliga. All the evidence showing that with very rare exceptions, players who move from the Bundesliga to Premier League become less productive in a tougher environment.

Alexander Isak is three years proven in the Premier League and doing the toughest job of all, scoring goals and playing centre-forward.

Yet Newcastle United and their fans are supposed to be grateful for a £110million bid???

Barcelona made at least four offers, going ever higher, before eventually getting Philippe Coutinho.

Liverpool have made that one derisory £110million bid and otherwise just messed about feeding nonsense to the media.

As for Alexander Isak, no written transfer request, unlike Coutinho, no willingness to give up a serious chunk of cash if getting his move.

What would £110million get Newcastle United these days? Not two or more World class players, that’s for sure.

NUFC would be now giving up a proven top Premier League goalscorer with far more to his game as well and with that money, at best bring in a totally unproven in the Premier League striker with probably hardly enough change left over to pay his wages for a year.

Liverpool fans might have some kind of a point if their club made a credible bid of £150million+ AND Alexander Isak gave up his right to a chunk of it, which would see him giving up £millions.