Philippe Coutinho is officially the second most expensive player in history after putting pen to paper on a £142 million switch to Barcelona.

His final six months at Liverpool were punctuated with relentless links to the Nou Camp with the Reds doing admirably well to stand by their 'no selling club' policy over the summer. Blaugrana rapidly increased their bidding and Coutinho handed in a transfer request, but to no avail.

Now Barcelona fans and the footballing community in general will be eager to see how Coutinho performs at another of the world's biggest clubs, alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Barcelona locked horns with Levante on Sunday and will clash with Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Thursday yet it's unlikely that Coutinho will feature in either fixture.

His presentation has been pencilled in for Monday, delayed because of the La Liga clash, with the Brazilian going through a medical to wrap up the deal.

Unveiling at the Nou Camp on Monday

The exact results of the examination could throw up some interesting revelations, too.

Coutinho infamously missed every minute of football for Liverpool this season that took place within a transfer window and injury problems were cited in every case.

Doubt over the accuracy of those comments in the summer remain but as far as January is concerned, it seems there was no cover up at all.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Coutinho could be out for as long as 15 days with the medical test used to establish the degree of discretion.

A period of just over a fortnight on the treatment table would set Coutinho's debut for January 28th and a home bow against Alaves in La Liga. If the 25-year-old's recovery it slightly quicker than expected, that could move forward to the 21st and a trip to Real Betis.

Genuine injuries at Liverpool

What of Liverpool, though? 

The report cited that Coutinho would set to arrive in Barcelona, as previously mentioned, injury and thus clarified: 'he did not fake any injury so as not to play with Liverpool these last games.'

Whether that means Coutinho would actually have played for Liverpool in 2018 is an interesting proposition but, it seems, there was no pretence.

It will come as news of reassurance to Liverpool supporters riled by his absenteeism during transfer windows even if the sting of his exit is still raw.

You can't fault Liverpool for trying, though, and Kopites will just have to hope that the 'Fab Four' keeps firing without its star member.

Who do you think got the better deal - Barcelona or Liverpool? Have your say in the comments section below.