Coutinho was chased by Nou Camp chief Ernesto Valverde for several weeks.
However, Liverpool bigwigs stubbornly dug their heels in and repeatedly refused to let him leave.
According to Spanish news outlet Diario Gol, Barca bigwigs secretly think the Brazilian should have tried to force an exit.
He submitted a transfer request - but remained quiet as the saga unfolded.
In contrast, Ousmane Dembele went to France and refused to play in Borussia Dortmund’s opening Bundesliga game as he looked to seal a move to the Nou Camp.
Diario Gol say Liverpool were never put under pressure to do a deal because of Coutinho’s restrained behaviour.
Kop legend John Barnes claimed yesterday that he had expected Coutinho to join Barca.
He told Sky Sports: “Initially I did (think he would go) but towards the end I was with Liverpool.
“The good thing about Liverpool is that Jurgen Klopp is in complete control of everything at the club.
“At a lot of the clubs, some of the owners, some of the directors, the CEOs may have an input into whether a player will stay or go, particularly if a figure like that came in.
“But the good thing is they completely trust Jurgen Klopp from top to bottom, the owner, the CEO and if he makes a decision that a player is not going to go, the player stays.
“So towards the last two weeks of the transfer window, when people thought ‘yes he’s going to go because they will offer more money’ it became quite clear to me no matter what they offered he’s not going to go, which is good for Liverpool.”
Liverpool face Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday.
