Don't think it was a mistake at all, but you're right that it has been a catalyst. Coutinho has obviously been believing that no matter what Klopp was saying, they were negotiating behind the scenes, just like the Barca press were saying. FSG were right to back up Jurgen, but this, and with the nonsensical presentation today not happening in Barca like Coutinho's team had obviously been expecting, either Barca, his agent or his dad (or all three) have seen that they have to respond.
Doesn't change anything at all though - FSG are now in a corner unless Klopp decides otherwise. So what if he goes on strike or feigns injury from now until 1st of September? The money for the VVD and Keyta sales was already there, and if they're not coming and we need to make some sales we can use that. As I said yesterday when some were goading that he'd put in a TR request, ultimately it makes no difference (except that if we do sell now, we don't have to pay a bonus). He said he wanted to go anyway before this. Only thing we should do now is set that price, but make it ****ing ridiculous, say £150m now. They won't pay that, and thus Phil, they really DON'T want you that much.
Sell him to PSG for £60m in January when we're out of the CL - if we make it past the qualifier now.