That is according to pundit and club legend Jamie Carragher.
The Reds finally had to relinquish their hold on Coutinho earlier this week when the midfielder was finally granted his dream move to Barcelona.
Speculation had been rife as to whether the Brazilian would leave Liverpool this month or at the end of the season.
But Barcelona wasted no time signing Coutinho this time around, to the annoyance of former club captain Carragher.
"I can’t understand Liverpool’s decision to sell Coutinho now," he told the Telegraph.
The five men most likely to replace Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool
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“It was more risky to keep him in August than now”
"Not mid-season.
"No matter how much I hear about boyhood dreams; efforts to convince him to stay; and how much family, representatives or even sponsors pushed for it, why this month?"
"The financial reward is vast. So is the risk."
Liverpool rejected three bids for their star man in the summer.
But Carragher believes keeping Coutinho this month would have been less of a risk.
"It was more risky to keep him in August than now," he added.
Getty
Getty
"No-one knew how he would react on his return to the side. He demonstrated it was in his nature to always give 100 per cent, so why expect different in February?
"When the move was denied last summer the player and his agent must have expected he would be retained for the year. What changed?
"I agree the £142 million fee is astronomical.
"The transfer market is crazy, but for Coutinho to become the second most expensive player in world football is extraordinary."
Coutinho is still nursing a thigh injury.
The Barcelona star is set to make his debut at the end of the month.