Jurgen Klopp insists Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can have shown no signs of distraction despite constant transfer speculation linking them with moves away from Liverpool.
Coutinho continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona, with Liverpool and the player non-committal about his future, while Can’s contract at Anfield runs out at the end of the season.
However, Klopp has stressed that both players will be fully focused on Liverpool’s busy schedule over the festive period.
“Neither Emre nor Phil gave me for one second the impression that they are not interested in what we are doing here,” Klopp told The Independent. “And that is all I care about until the moment we have to make a decision. That’s all. So far both these two did really well.
“They are completely in the team and they will be until it is not like this anymore and when this will be I have no clue.
“As long as nobody comes to me and says he’s gone or has signed a new contract. It’s all about the behaviour of the players. I work with them all day.
“If we want to sell a player we don’t go every day to him and tell him. We want to keep him in the best shape until the day and when the situation is there we will tell him. So day by day it has no influence as long as the players are fine.”
In light of Atletico Madrid reporting Barcelona to FIFA for making an illegal approach to Antoine Griezmann, Klopp said he had “nothing to say” regarding the Catalan outfit’s pursuit of Coutinho.
“Absolutely. I am not interested. I don’t comment on transfer rumours.” Klopp added.
Glenn is ESPN FC’s Liverpool correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter: @GlennPrice94.