Transfer speculation surrounding Liverpool this summer has largely been centred around the future of Philippe Coutinho.

The Reds have been susceptible to losing some big names over recent years, including the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres - but the loss of Coutinho could be far more significant.

While Torres and Suarez were both prolific in front of goal for Liverpool, Coutinho has been the engine room of the Reds' attacking play in recent years.

And his numbers - 13 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League last campaign - help to reaffirm that.

On so many occasions last season, the Brazilian's creativity, flair, passing ability and eye for goal helped Liverpool to be amongst the league's top scorers, with 78 goals.

The chances of Jurgen Klopp being able to find a suitable replacement for the 25-year-old are almost as impossible as their likeliness of signing Naby Keita from RB Leipzig this summer.

And so far, Liverpool have already rejected one large bid from Barcelona for their star man.

Klopp looking to build upon last season

Klopp is looking to build upon the foundations of last season's squad and that would clearly include Coutinho.

However, Barcelona are desperately trying to test their resolve as they continue to inquire about the South American and will come back with an improved offer in the coming weeks.

It's believed Liverpool are holding out for a world-record fee of £133 million, before coming to any form of agreement with the Catalan giants. But it's not yet known whether they'd be willing to meet such a valuation.

The situation had, so far, remained unclear. But Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu dropped a big hint, suggesting his club are still very much after Coutinho.

Barca president drops Coutinho hint

"He's a Liverpool player and I have a lot of respect for Liverpool, which we do in the summer is to be very discreet about everything, so we can not confirm or deny anything," Bartomeu told Sport, per the Mirror.

"There will be more players (coming in), one in the middle, sure."

With it seemingly inevitable Neymar will leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, new boss Ernesto Valverde wants to begin his reign as boss with a quality replacement in mind.

However, given Liverpool's stubbornness so far with negotiations and his reported "love" for Liverpool, it appears the Catalan giants are nowhere close to an agreement just yet.