Spanish outlet Don Balon have reported that Spanish giants Barcelona are hoping that Philippe Coutinho refuses to play for Liverpool during their Champions League games.
The 25-year-old Coutinho was a top target of the Catalan giants this summer following the departure of Neymar to PSG. In the end, he remained at Anfield after the Reds remained insistent that they would not sell.
The Brazil international Coutinho was reportedly keen on a move and handed in a transfer request to try and persuade the Anfield hierarchy into selling him.
Though Coutinho recently played for Brazil during their World Cup qualifiers, he has not played for Liverpool this season due to a reported back injury and was not included in Jurgen Klopp’s squad that played against Manchester City this weekend.
It is unlikely that Barcelona will get their wish. With the World Cup coming up next summer, Coutinho will know that he will have to play as regularly as possible to try and retain his place in the Brazil squad.
