Liverpool's preparations were rocked by Philippe Coutinho on the eve of their first Premier League game of the season away to Watford.

The Brazilian submitted a formal transfer request on Friday - on the same day the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, made a statement making it clear no offers for Coutinho will be considered.

The 25-year-old has been the Reds' star man over the past couple of seasons and remains a vital part of Jurgen Klopp's side that returns to the Champions League this campaign.

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And a return to European football coupled with the new long-term contract the Brazil international signed in January, it seemed destined that Coutinho would remain at Anfield.

However, with 19 days remaining in the current transfer window, Liverpool face a restless start to the new campaign in which the club's fans remain unsure about the future of their star man.

Reds legend Jamie Carragher recently claimed there would be a "riot" by Liverpool fans if the club allowed Coutinho to leave so late in the transfer window for Barcelona.

And with no obvious and potentially imminent replacements for the South American, any potential sale of Coutinho to the Catalan Giants could jeopardise the Anfield outfit's campaign.

Carragher had also previously stated his belief that Coutinho would remain at Liverpool for another 12 months, prior to handing in a transfer request, and the 39-year-old still believes that to be the case.

Carragher reacts to Coutinho's transfer request

"Before Coutinho put in this request I thought Liverpool would keep him and he'd probably go in 12 months," said Carragher, per Sky Sports.

"If this bid had come in at the end of May, someone offered over £100m and you had potential targets lined up, you could understand it.

"But Liverpool have got no time to replace him. They can't get players in at the moment anyway and they've got a lot of money to spend.

"I don't see any way the club would let Coutinho go. I said there'd be a riot if he went and I still stand by that.

"And I'll be part of that riot!"

Reds' stance forced Coutinho reaction

Coutinho and Barcelona have been continuously been linked for the past few years, but it appeared a deal was dead in the water when new terms at Liverpool were agreed in January.

And in the past week, it had been reported the Liverpool star would only look to join Barcelona if a deal between the two clubs could be agreed amicably.

However, it seems the club's stubborn stance over a transfer has forced Coutinho, who has previously made it clear he loves the club and the city, to take action.

Klopp, like FSG, has made Liverpool's stance on Coutinho's future clear in the past month. And time will tell whether they manage to stick to their word.