Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho will change his desire, claims Pep Guardiola

Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho missed out on a dream move to Barcelona this summer

ByJames Robson   SEP 08, 2017

Pep Guardiola insists Philippe Coutinho will ‘change his desire’ after seeing Liverpool block a move to Barcelona this summer.

The Brazilian playmaker has been left out of Jurgen Klopp’s squad for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City - and there have been questions as to how he will react after failing to secure an Anfield exit.

But Guardiola, who was involved in his own transfer tug-of-war over Alexis Sanchez, is adamant both the Chilean and Coutinho will be fully focused on their clubs now the window has shut.

“At the end the players are so professional,” he said. “Sometimes the players want to stay, sometimes they want to go.

“I am pretty sure with Coutinho and Alexis immediately they will change their desire and want to play for the clubs because they are professional.

“The game is on they want to play good they are focused on what they have to do.”

Klopp has confirmed Coutinho will not be involved against City, despite playing for Brazil during the international break.

But he is adamant he is ready to move on from the Barcelona saga.

“It was not the most easy time, but that’s the transfer window,” said the Liverpool manager. “But that’s the only time we can make transfers.

“It is not the first time, nor will it be the last time it happens.

“I think we handled it really well.

“But nothing I am aware of is unforgivable. He came in yesterday, we talked about the situation, and we should use the situation now.

“We have a wonderful player now who is fit and wants to play for the club.

“There is absolutely no problem, I am completely fine with the situation.”

 Klopp believes City are favourites for the title after spending in excess of £200m on players like Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva.

Guardiola responded: “I’ve always been a really lucky manager because I’ve always had this label of being favourite from when I started training players at Barcelona.

“So we have to play with that label, I’m not too worried about that.

“I know how tough Liverpool will be.

“They always have been (title contenders), always and always will be.

“Liverpool with United is the most successful in England, in Europe.

“Even though they didn’t win the Premier League since a long, long, long time ago, every season they are one of the contenders, no doubts about that.”