Liverpool have no intention of selling Coutinho to Barcelona

Liverpool are not going to sell Philippe Coutinho. That's the message that was conveyed to the player himself when he met with the club, shortly before an angry Coutinho handed in a transfer request. It's also what Barcelona have been told on each of the three occasions that the Anfield outfit have received offers from Los Azulgranas, and rejected them inside 45 minutes. A fourth approach is expected from Barça, but it is to be met with the same response: Coutinho is not for sale - and don't come back with a fifth bid.

Liverpool have at no point sat down to negotiate with Barcelona; there hasn't been a single meeting with the LaLiga club. They have never named a price for the player, or asked for more money. At no stage have they been open to the possibility of a Coutinho exit. And it's not a question of pride. Or money.

Jürgen Klopp is aware that Coutinho won't be the same for some weeks, just as occurred with Suárez in the wake of his failed attempt to secure a move to Arsenal. However, it's also not been forgotten that the Uruguayan ended up enjoying his best season at the club that year.

Coutinho's representatives will continue to put the pressure on through the press; guided by self-serving sources, the Catalan media will carry on selling the notion that a transfer is possible and that Barça are "optimistic". Indeed, it is still being said at the Camp Nou that they'll end up getting their man, but a few are now beginning to suspect that Liverpool's mind is made up: Coutinho is staying in England.