Liverpool’s refusal to sell Coutinho is damaging says Jermaine Jenas

Ex-England international Jermaine Jenas says Liverpool are damaging themselves by refusing to let Philippe Coutinho leave for FC Barcelona this summer.

Liverpool have turned down three bids; the latest believed to be worth about £114m- from Barcelona for Coutinho, who last week handed in a transfer request after the Catalan club’s owners released an official statement insisting the attacker would not be sold.

Jenas, while speaking on BBC Radio, said the red’s stance was like “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

The Catalan club have moved for 25-year-old, who joined from Inter Milan for £8.5m back in 2013, after selling Brazilian Neymar to big spenders Paris St-Germain for a world record fee of £198m.

The Merseyside giants, meanwhile, have signed two players this summer. Mohamed Salah arrived from Serie A side AS Roma for £34 million in June, before the Reds paid Hull City £10m for Andrew Robertson last month.

The ex-Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder said, “The timing is a problem.”

“Barcelona have put themselves into this situation by selling Brazilian Neymar Jr when they did, and the Anfield club have battled hard to make the signings they wanted this summer.

“If Coutinho leaves now, they (Liverpool) know they will be in a tougher position – because they (Liverpool) failed with offers for Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita and there didn’t seem to be an option.