Barcelona plot £22m swoop for Liverpool star after Brendan Rodgers’ sacking

The extent of the Liverpool playmaker’s injury is unknown, but i’s believed he sustained it during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Former captain Steven Gerrard wrote in his autobiography that Coutinho is destined to move to Barcelona or Real Madrid such is his talent, while fellow countryman Neymar said the 23-year-old would be welcomed with open arms at the Nou Camp. “I am happy here and I hope this season will go well for us”, Coutinho was quoted as saying. Of course it is a nice thing he [Neymar] said. But I’m here and focused on Liverpool to help them do good things on the pitch.

“Coutinho made the choice to stay at Liverpool without Champions League football this season”.

Liverpool FC have lost Luis Suarez as well as Raheem Sterling in the last two transfer windows, prompting boss Brendan Rodgers to build his team around the talented Brazilian star. Coutinho is the best midfielder in England right now.

For his part, Coutinho’s representatives are aware of Barcelona’s interest.

Elsewhere, reports have emerged that Barcelona are not in the race to sign Celta Vigo forward Nolito for a rather odd reason-per Sport, via Aaron Flanagan of Daily Mirror. But if you consider at the start of that season nobody expected Liverpool to do as well as we did, and to finish second in the league.