Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has urged Reds boss Jurgen Klopp to opt against the signing of Philippe Coutinho his summer. The Brazil international forced through a move to the Blaugrana from Anfield 18 months ago but he has since struggled to make a huge impression with the Spanish champions.

As such, he has been linked with a potential return to the Merseyside outfit this summer but Aldridge feels the move may not be worthy, considering it could blow most of the club’s transfer budget. He added that the Reds should instead look into a move for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, who has openly revealed the ambition of playing in the Champions League, he said: “Coutinho left on a sour note as he forced his way out of the club and while he is a great player, I don’t think Liverpool should blow their transfer budget on bringing him back. Wilfried Zaha is the one I think he [Klopp] should go for.”

At the moment, the Reds have a fixed set of players to make the starting XI and any new signing may have to adjust with a bench role at the beginning. As such, they may find it difficult to lure some of the best players around and the focus may rather lie on bolstering the squad with younger recruits, who can develop into top prospects for the future.

Meanwhile, Coutinho has recently hinted that he could consider a move away from the Blaugrana after a difficult league season where he managed to score just five goals. The Brazilian has been associated with a move to Paris Saint-Germain of late and reports suggest that could be a possibility, should the Blaugrana seek to re-sign Neymar in a potential swap agreement. Coutinho has four more years remaining on his current Barcelona contract.