Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona: Liverpool star has NOT told Jurgen Klopp he is on strike

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Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona: Liverpool star has NOT told Jurgen Klopp he is on strike

LIVERPOOL star Philippe Coutinho has NOT told Jurgen Klopp that he will refuse to play for them again.

The Brazilian is wanted by Barcelona with a January deal thought to be a real possibility.

Reports in Spain this morning said Coutinho had notified Liverpool that he will not play for them again as he looks to push through a move to the Nou Camp.

But Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce is adamant the 25-year-old has not had any discussions with Klopp.

He said: “The Barcelona-based publication expects a deal worth around 150million Euros (£133million) to go through in the coming days.

“For that to happen, things will certainly have to change quickly. As it stands Liverpool have had no fresh approach from Barca and there is no offer on the table.

“If Coutinho has no intention of playing for the Reds in the second half of the season then he has yet to articulate those thoughts to manager Jurgen Klopp .

“Of course last summer provided a lesson in the perils of reading too much into the daily bulletins from Spain.

“The stream of misinformation was constant from the regular updates about 'a breakthrough in negotiations' to details about Coutinho's imminent unveiling at the Camp Nou. It was all nonsense.”

Coutinho has been in fine form this season for Liverpool, netting 12 times and providing nine assists in all competitions.

The Brazilian is unlikely to play against Everton in the FA Cup on Friday evening through injury.

Daily Star Sunday