The Reds have rejected bids of £72m and £90m from Barca this summer, leading to Coutinho putting in a formal transfer request.

Nou Camp general manager Josep Segura said last night: “We have to help the team. We're close [to Coutinho and Dembele], we're talking about the conditions but until everything is finalised, we can't say anything else. We hope they will wear a Barca shirt."

But former Premier League star Matt Le Tissier thinks Coutinho could stay at Anfield.

Liverpool transfer news: Philippe Coutinho could yet stay at Anfield, says Matt Le Tissier

“It wouldn’t surprise me to see Coutinho stay at Liverpool,” he said on TalkSPORT this morning.

“When they sign five, six-year deals they can’t expect to spit out the dummy and get a move when they want.

“You’ve got to expect to be there for a few years.”

Liverpool transfer news: Philippe Coutinho wants out of Anfield

While Le Tissier thinks Coutinho could be at Anfield next season, Dean Saunders thinks the writing is on the wall.

“As soon as the phone call came in from Barcelona I thought ‘he’s gone’,” he said on BT Sport.

“It’s very difficult to stop a player.

“There’s probably only two clubs he’s leave Liverpool for - Barcelona and Real Madrid.

“One of them’s come knocking and I think the minute that call happened, he’s gone.”