First he submitted a transfer request, then he missed Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Watford.The Reds claimed Philippe Coutinho’s absence from Saturday’s 3-3 draw was due to a back injury but the Brazilian’s exclusion the squad to face Hoffenheim in the Champions League has further unsettled the club.Coutinho is the subject of heavy interest from Barcelona and, despite Liverpool’s desire to keep him at Anfield, the Reds should be bracing themselves for a huge bid.Jurgen Klopp was quizzed on Coutinho’s situation at a press conference in Germany on the matter, the Liverpool boss admitting the playmaker’s absence is a “blow”."Nothing has changed on one side or the other side," Klopp said, per Sky Sports.“He's not available for us at the moment. That's the main issue. He cannot play for Liverpool in this moment. Everyone can imagine this is a blow for us."I really understand people's interest in this. But I can't say that, in this moment, I am really thinking about it. I wasn't in the car thinking about 'what can I say if they ask about this'?“I work with the players I have. I don't think about the players I don't have.”
Hasselbaink tweeted about Coutinho
Everyone has had their say on the matter, with Jamie Carragher claiming he expects Coutinho to stay and Jamie Redknapp saying Liverpool should cash in.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has chipped in with his own view, although it’s not one that Liverpool fans will enjoy.
The former Chelsea striker said he can he can understand why Coutinho’s head has been turned after “a big club” came calling - with his Twitter followers responding by telling Hasselbaink to prepare for angry responses from Liverpool supporters.
“I have a great deal of sympathy for #LFC over Phillippe Coutinho,” he wrote on Twitter. “Its not that I think he is unhappy but when a big club come calling?”
Liverpool have never won the Premier League but they will still think of themselves as a big club. Yet Hasselbaink doesn’t seem to share that opinion.
Twitter is worried for Hasselbaink's mentions
Some of the responses to the Dutchman's tweet are just perfect.
Liverpool remain a prestigious club but there’s no doubting that Barcelona are on another level.
And that’s precisely why Coutinho is considering the move.