But, Blud, look at it this way. Forget the fans for a moment and think about the team mates, the players with whom he bonds every day.
As the highest paid player and as a professional, the player has a responsibility towards the team. The vibes that the fans have been getting from the players are that this is going to be a special season and that they are going to make history. And, when his team mates are thinking about all this, right before the start of the season and a few days before an important qualifier, he creates unrest in the team (well, the players may not have been affected by all this and maybe they must have been affected - I would never know). If we had not qualified for CL group stages and had Coutinho got his wish to leave for Barcelona, the remaining players would have played in Europa (All hypothetical scenarios).
And, then there was the Sakho situation. Coutinho may not be as popular as Sakho with the team mates. If Coutinho goes straight back into the team, what would be the signals? That coming late to a meeting is a bigger sin than filing a transfer request anytime (two different issues and of course Sakho situation may be a bigger issue, but, the end result is similar). Klopp keeps saying he is building a friendly, familial atmosphere etc... But, his actions targeted the very core of Klopp's philosophy. If it was me, I would rather he rot in the ressies (But, I am not the manager, thankfully). Practically speaking, against City and Sevilla we may not really need the magic to break stubborn defences as they are going to be open games. Against Burnley, we might, and one and half weeks is probably a good enough time to probably send the signals that the manager doesn't play favourites.
you're a professional footballer, our highest paid player to do so, so dry your eyes mate and be professional and get on with the job at hand..
I agree. But, we do it on our own terms. No body can be allowed to get away with a transfer request, refusal to play and get back to the team straight afterwards. He is no Suarez and this is not the team of 2 years ago which is dependent solely on him. For the last one month or so Coutinho did cut our noses.But, we have been able to breathe. I think we will be able to breathe for some more time without him.
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