Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool made a staggering £142million from the sale of Philippe Coutinho.

The money Barcelona paid the Reds went towards them signing £75million defender Virgil van Dijk and £67million goalkeeper Alisson, who shored up Liverpool's defence and turned them into Champions League winners.

But it wasn't just the money made from the sale of the Brazilian that benefited Liverpool.

Some shrewd negotiations when selling the midfielder meant Barcelona wouldn't be able to raid Liverpool in the way they have done previously - Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez are two examples - without paying a huge premium, for the next three seasons.

(Image: X03811)

According to reports from Spain, the premium stands at €100million (£89million) - meaning Barcelona would have to pay this on top of the standard transfer fee.

Transfermarkt has estimated that Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are Liverpool's two most expensive players. Their market values have been listed as £135million.

This would mean that Barcelona would, at the very least, have to pay £225million to sign either Mane or Salah with the premium applied.

The premium has so far kept Barcelona at bay, despite Liverpool housing world-class players who would have previously been on the Catalan club's wishlist. But after 2021 normal rules will apply, and Liverpool stars may be back on the radar at the Camp Nou.