Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool aware Barcelona sale would jeopardise Jurgen Klopp project

The Reds are remaining adamant their star playmaker is not for sale amid Barcelona's pursuit.

A bid of £72million has already been turned down this summer.

And a second offer of around £80m is expected to be tabled next by the Catalan giants.

Klopp has said: "Phil is a key player for us, no doubt. I’m not surprised that any club is interested in players, that’s how it is.

"But a very important message, maybe — we are not a selling club."

Express Sport understands Liverpool are braced for a £100m battle with Barca to keep Coutinho.

However, according to The Independent, Barcelona feel they can get the 25-year-old and he wants to move.

Liverpool may struggle to resist pressure from the Nou Camp if their bids continue to rise.

With Coutinho such an integral part of Klopp's team and Liverpool's long-term project, his departure would have serious knock-on effects.

The Independent add Liverpool's hierarchy understand any sale at this stage would damage the club's progress.

Jurgen Klopp has got the Reds back into the Champions League and fighting for the Premier League title again.

And having signed Mohamed Salah from Roma, the boss plans to see the winger develop a strong on-field relationship with Coutinho in attack.

But Liverpool face a real test to maintain their project, especially if Barcelona lose Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.

If PSG meet his £196m release clause and lure Coutinho's compatriot away from the Nou Camp, Barcelona would have huge funds to spend on the Reds star as a direct replacement.

Liverpool are desperate not to go backwards by selling Coutinho, though, as he has improved greatly since Klopp's arrival in 2015.