Liverpool fans probably wish the transfer window was already closed after reports that Philippe Coutinho could leave for Barcelona intensified.
Reports in Spain claim the move is hours away from completion but that doesn’t appear to be entirely true.
Meanwhile, Duncan Castles of Yahoo Sport believes Coutinho is trying to force a move to Barça by misbehaving in training.
“Coutinho is doing little in training,” Castles’ source said. “He wants to ensure he gets his move.”
The departure of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain has left Barça with a need to fill and money to spend. And Coutinho sits pretty high on their list of targets.
It’s reached the point where Liverpool supporters are desperately searching for any reason to believe Coutinho could stay at Anfield. And the Liverpool Echo have given them plenty.
According to James Pearce, Liverpool are “adamant” that Coutinho will stay and claims that Reds officials met with Barcelona chiefs today are false.
And, in contrast to Castles’ report, there are no issues or concerns with the Brazilian’s attitude. Coutinho has been “fully committed” throughout the pre-season.
Why Coutinho missed today's training
Liverpool fans shouldn’t be too worried that Coutinho missed Tuesday’s training session. The playmaker reported back to Melwood but had treatment on a sore back.
The back issue could force Coutinho to miss Saturday’s Premier League opener against Watford but at least his absence from training wasn’t a direct result of those Barça rumours.
Pearce adds that Coutinho would accept a move to the Camp Nou if a fee was agreed, but he won’t force a move in the way Virgil van Dijk is trying to do so from Southampton.
Coutinho remembers what Liverpool have done for his career and so doesn’t want to show the club any disrespect.
Carragher thinks he'll stay
Jamie Carragher reassured Liverpool supporters by revealing that he doesn’t expect Coutinho to leave this summer.
"In terms of the situation now with Coutinho, not a chance of him going really," Carragher said, per Sky Sports.
"This window has not been good for Liverpool, which has not helped, and there would be a riot against the owners and the club if he went because this transfer window has not gone how Liverpool wanted.
"They wanted Van Dijk, they wanted Keita. Liverpool do not need money, they have big money. Klopp has not spent anything really since he came in terms of net spend, so there is a lot of money there for Liverpool to spend.
“I just think they can get 12 more months out of Coutinho."