Lucas Leiva rebuffs reports suggesting he convinced Coutinho to join Barcelona
Submitted by content on Thu, 03/08/2018 - 13:57Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has rubbished suggestions that he influenced Philippe Coutinho's decision to join Barcelona during the winter transfer window. Coutinho had been on the Catalans radar since the start of the season, and he finally realised his move last week after the Reds agreed on a record £142m package for his sale.

Since then, Leiva has suggested that Coutinho would have a better preparation with Barcelona for World Cup finals in the summer as the Brazilian would not have to feature in the Champions League, where he is ineligible courtesy of his participation for the Reds in the same competition.