Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was happy to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January, it has been revealed.

The Liverpool Echo says Klopp had a specific reason for letting the 25-year-old depart.

And that is because he thought Liverpool had become too predictable.

At the turn of the year, the Reds' season was in limbo.

They had battled their way out of their Champions League group - albeit by scoring goals aplenty - and fans were sweating on a top four place.

Liverpool did try their best to keep Coutinho.

But Klopp's issue meant they were more than happy to take Barcelona's money and run.