- Title: Liverpool stars not for sale, says manager
- Date: 21st July 2017
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 20, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PHOTOGRAPHERS LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SITTING ON STAGE AT NEWS CONFERECE PREMIER LEAGUE ASIA TROPHY (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "I'm not surprised but it's not a compliment. It's not that I need it. It's only that a few people obviously see that Liverpool has a few good players. So, that's how it is. But, a very important message maybe we're not a selling club. So, that's how it is. And we believe in working together. We believe in development together. We believe in using the basis. We want to work together, we want to make the next step together. And for this we need to stay together. So, that's how it is." LOGOS OF WEST BROMWICH ALBION AND CRYSTAL PALACE (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "No, I am not surprised that any club is interested in players of Liverpool. I think a few people in the room are more surprised that there is any interest in players of Liverpool. But I am not surprised if it is like this." TROPHY (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "That's an interesting question because you know my answer before. I have nothing to say about this. I'm sorry. But obviously, you can all have stories without my saying so. So why should I disturb this process. Do whatever you want with this news and I am not interested. But what I can say, keeping the group together would make sense." TROPHY (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: REPORTER ASKING: "WE CAN SAY PHILLIPE COUTINHO NOT FOR SALE PERHAPS?" KLOPP SAYING: "Yes that's what we can say. But that's not since this morning or yesterday. I'm not sure it was different at any time. So yes." LOGOS OF LIVERPOOL FC AND LEICESTER CITY FC (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "No, Phil is a very, very important player but we need to react better when he's not on the pitch. So, that's how it is. Because there was a few games when he was out and when he came back and he was not in the best shape and that's how it is. And he tried to get back his rhythm. And with his quality he has the opportunity, or the pressure, to do it on the pitch. Other players who keep in training and hide them a little bit. But Phil, when he's able to run properly then you want to have him on the pitch again." LOGO SHOWING PREMIER LEAGUE ASIA TROPHY (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING: "So, we have to be better even in moments like this. So, it's about Phil, he can improve of course, he has inconsistency, but there's no doubt about his qualities, good shape, good movements, very smart in both parts of the game. Offensive tactically and defense tactics and that's really, really important. And all over a really good player. But the nice thing is, still young and also he can improve. He has improved a lot since I've been here. He was good before I was here, so he's on a good way." BANNER SHOWING PREMIER LEAGUE ASIA LOGO KLOPP LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 4th August 2017 11:38
- Keywords: Liverpool Juergen Klopp football soccer Philippe Coutinho Brazil Barcelona Hong Kong
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016QNTPA7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Liverpool football club will not part with its best players, manager Juergen Klopp said at a news conference in Hong Kong on Friday (July 21).
Speculation has been rife over the future of Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho amid a proposed move to Barcelona FC. The Spanish side are believed to have made a 70 million pound ($91 million) bid to sign the Brazilian this summer, but the Klopp stressed that none of his squad were for sale.
Klopp was speaking at a media conference in Hong Kong ahead of the Premier League Asia Trophy final on Saturday (July 22) where Liverpool faces off against Leicester City. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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