Liverpool transfer news: Philippe Coutinho wants clear-the-air talks to secure Reds return

PHILIPPE COUTINHO wants to hold clear-the-air talks with Liverpool in a bid to repair the fractured relationship.

Michail Antonio backs Philippe Coutinho to force move to Barca

Coutinho threw Liverpool into disarray by sending a transfer request to the club via email on the eve of the Premier League season.

But the Reds have been unequivocal in their stance that the Brazilian will not be sold this summer, rejecting bids as high as £118million.

The Brazilian is yet to appear for Liverpool this season due to a back problem and will miss Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg against Hoffenheim.

But The Independent say Coutinho wants to return, conceding that the chances of joining Barcelona are non-existent.

The report says the 25-year-old will tell Liverpool he was pressurised into force a move to the Nou Camp with members of his entourage believing Barcelona manipulated the player and used his family to push for the move.

And the decision to email a transfer request to Liverpool is blamed on Barcelona.

It is also claimed Coutinho’s team-mates are ready to accept him back into the club.

Barcelona are now understood to have ended their interest in Coutinho and moved onto more attainable targets.

Philippe CoutinhoPA

Philippe Coutinho wants to return to Liverpool action

The Coutinho situation has left a cloud over Liverpool’s season and over the weekend Klopp admitted it was “not easy for anybody" at the moment.

He said: ”At the moment, as you can imagine, it's not too easy for anybody, but we have to be concentrated on the job on the pitch, and I really think the boys did brilliant.

"I don't think that it makes sense to think too much ahead, what can happen and when.

"The situation is like it is, and it has not changed, that's all I know. When there is no other decision possible - on the 31st of August - then we have to think about everything new."

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