It seems unlikely now that Barcelona will be successful in their attempts to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool.Barcelona have already seen three bids rejected and according to Sport, Liverpool are now simply ignoring the Blaugrana’s calls.Liverpool are a “wall that all offers are bouncing off,” a Barca source told Sport.Barcelona are prepared to pay €150 million plus add-ons for the Brazilian but Liverpool have no interest in selling.Coutinho has missed the opening three matches of the Premier League season as well as Liverpool’s Champions League play-off win over Hoffenheim.The Reds insisted that Coutinho’s absence was due to a back injury but footage of the 25-year-old participating in a training session for Brazil seemed to discredit that claim.According to Brazil’s doctor, Coutinho did have a back problem - but he’s no longer suffering with it.“Coutinho back problem? He is okay now,” Michael Simoni said, per the Mirror. “The back problem was a matter of stress, it was something emotional.
“The uncertainty about his future led him to feeling stressed. Everything is solved now.”
Riise's tweet
Regardless, Coutinho’s return to the Liverpool setup is bound to be an awkward one. Not only are many sceptical about the back injury but he also submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Barcelona.
Former Liverpool left-back John Arne Riise has hit the nail on the head with his view on Coutinho’s return, saying he doesn’t envy the Brazil international at all.
“I'm glad I'm not Coutinho if a transfer doesn't happen and he has to return to Liverpool and play,” Riise wrote. “Done it all wrong.”
Liverpool fans react
Not only does Coutinho have some grovelling to do but he must also establish himself in a Liverpool side that has made an impressive start to the season.
Presuming Coutinho will play in midfield, Jurgen Klopp must decide whether to drop Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson or Emre Can to the bench.
The German will no doubt be pleased that this entire saga is nearly over.
Liverpool are on the up
The Reds are second in the league, have Champions League group stage fixtures to look forward to, Coutinho looks set to stay and Thomas Lemar and Virgil van Dijk could sign before Thursday’s transfer deadline
Not a bad time to be a Liverpool fan.