Liverpool have not had enough credit for the way they handled Barcelona's courtship of Philippe Coutinho during the summer transfer window.

That's the verdict of Darren Lewis, one of our top football reporters, who was on tour with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp when Barcelona made their first official bid for the Brazilian midfielder.

"I was in Singapore [on Liverpool's pre-season tour] with a few other journalists," Darren explains on the new Mirror Football podcast - which you can listen to above and subscribe to on iTunes.

"One morning, we woke up and it transpired that Barcelona had made a bid of £72million for Coutinho.

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"The club were very clear. Not only did they reject the bid, but they would not even negotiate with Barcelona.

"They were bemused by all the stories flying around that there was a magic number at which they would do business, or that there was some sort of Barca delegation flying over to talk turkey with Liverpool officials.

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(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty)

"There were no Liverpol officials there to talk to! Michael Edwards, who does their transfer business, was back on Merseyside.

"Liverpool's position has always been that Coutinho has not been for sale. We spoke to Klopp and he said, 'I wasn't manager when Suarez was sold, I wasn't manager when Sterling was sold - I'm manager now, and we're not selling him.

"I've worked for the Daily Mirror for a number of years, and seldom do you see a club take the position Liverpool have and remain absolutely steadfast about it.

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"They have not blinked, they have not bowed down. There have been smoke and mirrors from Barcelona, but it was all nonsense. Barcelona are in a mess, Liverpool are in a very strong position.

"I think Coutinho will come back into the side and make a sizeable contribtion.

"We have to give credit to FSG for taking the stance they have and backing Jurgen Klopp. I hear such little credit given to them, but they have shown they want to go in a different direction and bring in more quality players.

(Image: Rex Features)

The podcast also features former Spurs director of football Darren Eales telling us the inside story of Gareth Bale's record £85million move to Real Madrid.

The Welshman signed for Los Blancos on transfer deadline day in 2013 in what has now been revealed as an incredibly complex deal.

Bale had spent six seasons at Spurs prior to his blockbuster switch, slowly transitioning from left-back to left winger. During his final season in north London, the then-24-year-old scored 26 goals in all competitions.

The Wales star is in his fifth season at Real Madrid, and has already helped his side lift three Champions League trophies, one Copa del Rey and one La Liga title.

(Image: Getty Images)

Eales is now president of MLS side Atlanta United, but had no problem recalling the transfer that started his hairloss.

"You won’t be surprised but with Daniel Levy involved it was a very complicated deal," began Eales. "He was pushing for every penny.

"I remember a couple of times when it looked like the deal was going to be dead and then we’d resurrect it in the morning. But it was one of the most complicated deals, certainly what I’ve ever been involved in, right down to which currency would be used in the contract.

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"It ended being a negotiation on every single point you could think of. It finally got done on transfer Deadline Day… that was when my hair started to go when I was doing that deal.

"The great thing about Daniel is that everything is done for the best of Tottenham. He drives that hard bargain because he wants the best for Spurs.

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"To steward the club as he has done now with the new stadium coming and the team in the Champions League, I think it shows his incredible fortitude and foresight.

"Whether it’s against the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City, he has managed to punch above his weight throughout that time period. So, great credit to him."