The Brazilian has handed in a transfer request at Anfield but owners FSG are adamant their star man won’t be sold.
Club legend Gerrard is well-placed to give his thoughts having played with the midfielder and employed at the club as an academy coach.
He appeared on BT Sport as a pundit to discuss the transfer saga and laid the blame firmly at the door of the Catalan club.
In the footage he says: “The problem here are Barcelona because they will be saying to Coutinho’s representatives it’s now or never.
“They’re piling on the pressure and that’s why Philippe’s reacted so.
“It’s frustrating for Liverpool fans but this kid who’s come up form South America has always had a dream of playing for Barcelona and he’s panicking that if he doesn’t do it now it will never happen again.”
Gerrard added Coutinho was not a “bad person” but claimed the least he could do was play another year for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Meanwhile Phil Thompson told Sky Sports News he believes Liverpool would be wrong to hang onto the wantaway star.
He said: “If you’re asking me my opinion, any player who says they don’t want to play for you, as soon as the transfer request came out, I don’t want players who are not committed.”
But many Reds fans will be more concerned about their side’s shocking defence that saw them concede three goals at Watford during their 3-3 draw yesterday (August 12).
The defensive display drew fierce criticism from Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher, who got into a heated debate over how to remedy the situation.
