Liverpool's Week in Review: Coutinho, Transfers and World Cup Qualifiers

Liverpool had a hectic week off the pitch with lots of movement in the final days of the transfer window. There were no Premier League or any club matches this past weekend owing to the international break.

The Reds were embroiled in a few transfer sagas this window, including Philippe Coutinho's and some of them continue to rumble on even now. Meanwhile, several players departed to assist their national sides to improve their chances of playing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

So, let's begin with the Coutinho saga.

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For now, Se queda!

Coutinho was blocked from a move to Barcelona

The transfer deadline day came and went. Philippe Coutinho remains a Liverpool player. Despite the player refusing to play citing an injury and not attending club games (Adam Lallana watched the matches in crutches). Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) stuck to their guns and refused to sell the Brazilian.

Barcelona had an extra day as the Spanish transfer window closed on September 1st, but could not move the FSG into entering negotiations. The doctor in the Brazilian team confirmed Coutinho's injury was due to stress and the Liverpool no.10 started training soon after.

(Video Courtesy - Daily Match YouTube Channel)

The Brazilian came on as a substitute against Ecuador and instantly showed his class with brilliant link-up play. Further, he etched his name onto the scoresheet as well.

The 25-year old is supposedly greatly disappointed as every attempt to push through a move was rejected by the English club. His friend and international team-mate Neymar came in support of him saying the playmaker was in "great anguish" at the blocked move.

After this week's match, Coutinho is expected to return to Liverpool, where Klopp has named him in the Champions League squad. It remains to be seen how the player will be reintegrated into the squad given Klopp's need of trust.

Further, there is a question mark over how Coutinho will respond or whether he will continue to sulk till January when Barcelona can once again try to sign him. With a World Cup on the horizon and the competition for places in the Brazil squad, one would expect Coutinho to knuckle down and play.

Further, on the transfer front, Liverpool were pretty active in the final few days of the window. Let's have a look.

Failed pursuits and important departures

Naby Keita was finally signed by Liverpool albeit for next season

Liverpool's final few days of the transfer window started with double joy as Naby Keita was finally signed from RB Leipzig and a mega-bid was launched for AS Monaco's Thomas Lemar.

The former was a top target for Klopp and Gareth Edwards, the man responsible for Liverpool's transfers, turned it around to at least secure the 22-year old for 2018. In an unusual turn of events, Keita completed his medical this summer while the Reds paid a premium over his release clause that gets activated next year.

Liverpool failed to complete a move for Lemar in time despite the player showing interest

Thomas Lemar's name came out of nowhere as Liverpool put in a series of bids in trying to prise the talented playmaker away from France. However, the delayed start of the pursuit weighed against the Merseyside club. Thus, the Reds could not agree a fee with Monaco despite Lemar apparently rejecting Arsenal in favour of a switch to Anfield.

Amidst all this, the club did manage to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for £35 million from Arsenal. The 24-year old can play in midfield as well as on the wings and has pace, power and work-rate, making him a perfect Klopp player.

Liverpool failed to land their top transfer target in Virgil van Dijk

The biggest disappointment in the transfer window is however reserved to the club's failure in signing the top priority target, Virgil van Dijk. After Liverpool prematurely celebrated a move even before a fee was agreed with Southampton, the club were forced to bite their tongue and apologise as the Saints lodged a "player-tapping" complaint against the Reds.

This scenario led to the club waiting until the last day, expecting Southampton to invite bids. The Saints, however, held firm and neglected the transfer request from their defender to keep the player in this window. With only four centre-backs in Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez, the Reds lack a leader and a top player in their backline.

Sakho finally ended his Liverpool career by joining Crystal Palace permanently

Mamadou Sakho would have definitely helped the situation. However, Klopp's reluctance to consider the Frenchman led to his sale finally to Crystal Palace for £26 million. Finally, Divock Origi joined Wolfsburg on loan with the German club paying £6 million to secure his services. The Belgian desperately needs playing time and should he shine at Wolfsburg, a recall in January is possible.

Thus, Liverpool's transfer window ended with an increase in attacking depth and resolution of the left-back problem but the club failed in landing a top centre-back. Now, our focus shifts to the international matches as the Reds hope their players return without picking up any injuries.

National glory - Road to Russia 2018

Henderson captained England in both their games

Jordan Henderson captained England in both the international games against Malta and Slovenia as the Three Lions won both matches. After Rooney's retirement, the battle to lead England to the 2018 World Cup looks to be a straight one between Harry Kane and Henderson. The latter has not hesitated to express his desire to lead the side and on current evidence, the Liverpool captain is favourite to be awarded the armband by Gareth Southgate.

Divock Origi and Simon Mignolet were part of the Belgium squad as they qualified for the World Cup finals. The biggest highlight from the international matches was 17-year old Ben Woodburn.

(Video Courtesy - MrBoyWunder YouTube Channel)

The Liverpool prodigy was handed his debut as he came on as a substitute for Wales with the match in the balance. It only took him five minutes to unleash a brilliant shot from the outside of the box, which ended in the back of the night. It proved to be the winner and for once, a different Welshman was the star.

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The players on international duty will return to Melwood to prepare for the trip to Manchester City over the weekend. Overall, Liverpool had a decent week and the squad is now set to tackle the upcoming months till the transfer window reopens in January.