Death, taxes, and stories surrounding Philippe Coutinho's future at Liverpool. 

In what has been one of the longest running transfer saga's of a generation, rumours linking the Brazilian with a move to Barcelona have continued to rumble on long after the closure of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool rejected a plethora of monumental bids for their number 10, standing firm in the face of extreme pressure, even from the player himself. Jurgen Klopp and the Anfield hierarchy were determined that Coutinho was absolutely not for sale despite Barca's relentless pursuit and Coutinho's far from secret desire to play at the Nou Camp.

However, the 25-year-old remains a Liverpool player, and barring new signing Mohammed Salah perhaps, has been the Reds best player, scoring four goals in nine appearances in what has been an indifferent start to the season for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Liverpool's recent form will have done little to calm Coutinho's desire to leave Merseyside, with just two wins in ten games including two embarrassing defeats at the hands of Manchester City and more recently Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool have already fallen well off the pace in the Premier League, languishing 12 points off the top in ninth and so it is no wonder that rumours continue to circulate surrounding Coutinho's future at the club.

In fact, if club legend Jason McAteer is to be believed, it is more of a case of when Coutinho will make the move to Catalonia, rather than if.

"[Andres] Iniesta is gonna be there for life. But he’s only got another season. He’s not gonna play consistently next season, or the season after. He’s on his way down, Iniesta." said McAteer in a recent interview.

"Coutinho, I feel, was always that replacement. They will come back for him in the summer. I’ve got no doubt about it.

"I think the deal, possibly, has already been done."

The prospect of Coutinho linking up with the likes of Lionel Messi and former teammate Luis Suarez is a frightening prospect for any defender but Liverpool, who Coutinho on contract for another five years, will be desperate to hold onto the talismanic midfielder for a little while longer.