Liverpool fans aren't going to believe the Philippe Coutinho saga is really over until the clock hits midnight on September 1st.

Barcelona's 'ultimatum' that they accept a deal by Sunday evening has been and gone. So, as it stands, the Blaugrana have officially given up and have started identifying alternative targets.

If the Brazilian does remain on Merseyside, he's made things rather awkward for himself by handing in a transfer request.

With Barcelona eventually bidding in the region of £114million, there's a strong argument that Liverpool should have just taken the money for a player who doesn't want to be there - especially as it's money that could be reinvested in the Reds' defence, which is in dire need of strengthening.

Besides, is the 25-year-old really worth that kind of fee? Last season was interrupted by injury, but he contributed a respectable 13 goals and seven assists.

In terms of assists, that equalled his record tally from the 2013/14 season.

There's no denying the former Inter Milan star is pivotal to Liverpool's attack, but a stat has been doing the rounds on social media which rather puts that achievement into perspective:

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is indeed on four assists already this season after enough influential performance in Manchester United's 4-0 win over Swansea.

Those outside the realms of Fantasy Football would have us believe that assists aren't the most useful statistic, but United fans will enjoy this one nonetheless.

Mkhi's in great form

The Armenian initially found it difficult to impress Jose Mourinho following his move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016.

After dropping him against West Brom in April, his manager publicly called him out, quoted via the Independent:

"The thinking is because I am not happy with Mkhi's performance in the last match and Pogba was not ready to play last Saturday, is because after 48 hours he is not in the best of his game."

The one-time Bundesliga Player of the Season has definitely settled at Old Trafford now, and he'll no doubt be eyeing the sort of figures he was on - 13 goals and 20 assists in all competitions - during his last season at BVB.

Crucially, while Liverpool's mercurial midfielder may or may not be on his way out of the club, Mkhitaryan looks like he has a bright future over at United.