But Kop boss Jurgen Klopp insists all is good with the Brazil ace after comparing his request to quit the club for Barcelona to a lovers’ tiff.
Klopp held talks with Coutinho on his return to the club’s Melwood training base this week.
Coutinho, 25, will be reintegrated into the Liverpool squad but Klopp does not feel he is ready to play after only returning to training with the Reds yesterday because of a back injury.
The Brazilian would be fit for 25 minutes but Klopp wants him to focus on training over the next few days after two cameo appearances for his country last week.
He said: “We had a very good talk, he was in a very good mood and training was even better.
”But I had to make the decision. We have seven games in the next three weeks so there will not be the time to train.
“We had this conversation. Before he went to Brazil he couldn't train for about three weeks so that means we need to try to prepare him for the rest of the season and that is quite difficult with our schedule.
“So I decided to leave him out of the squad for City so we can use these four or five days for proper training.
“He played twice, about 15-20 minutes (in each of Brazil's two games) and could have played 15-20 minutes in the City game, maybe longer, but I think it makes sense.
“He agreed completely. It was not as if he said 'No, I don't need training, I want to play'. It was a good conversation.”
Klopp believes the issue is now in the past after Liverpool held firm even when the Spanish giants upped their bid to £118m.
And he compared the situation to a marriage break-up that has been repaired.
“I can explain it a little: Maybe a few of you have had a split in a good relationship, with the wife or whatever, and it is not good to think about the time you were split,” he said.
“It was not the most easy time but that is the transfer window and that is the only time players and clubs can make transfers.
“It is not the first time and it won't be the last time in history when similar things will happen.
“But nothing I am aware of was unforgivable. It is a normal thing.
“He came in yesterday, accepted 100 per cent the situation – I didn't even have to say anything about it.
“We don't know how long he will play for the club so there is absolutely no problem and I am completely fine with this situation.
“He looks like he is the same Philippe. The most important thing is no one told me anything where I thought 'Oh, that is too much'.
“There was another pretty big club and they wanted to have a player from us and there was a club decision.
“You can't say 'no' and it stops in one day, that's how it is. You have to go through these times and things can be good if you are smart enough to start again.
“I said yesterday in the dressing room 'Boys, welcome two new players: Alex (deadline-day signing Oxlade-Chamberlain) and Phil.
“He loves football and he still loves this club so there is no problem.”
