Liverpool news: Barcelona end Philippe Coutinho interest after Champions League blow

BARCELONA will not make a move for Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window after he played in the Champions League for Liverpool this week.

Christian Purslow: Liverpool were not close to selling Coutinho

Coutinho made his first Liverpool appearance of the summer in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla and the 25-year-old was given a warm reception by the Anfield crowd after summer dominated by transfer interest from Barcelona.

The Brazilian had missed the opening weeks of the season due to a back injury and illness and is line to make his first start against Burnley on Saturday.

Coutinho was the subject of intense speculation this summer with Liverpool rejecting three bids from Barcelona for the playmaker.

Philippe Coutinho is ready for us to think about him

Jurgen Klopp

But the Reds managed to keep hold of their prized asset and manager Jurgen Klopp appears to have Coutinho onside and willing to play for the club this season.

And according to Spanish outlet Marca, Coutinho's hopes of joining Barcelona in January have been scuppered by his cameo appearance in the Champions League.

It means Coutinho is ineligible to play for another club in the competition this season.

Philippe CoutinhoEPA

Philippe Coutinho's hopes of joining Barcelona are slim

As a result of that setback for Barcelona, the report says they will turn their attention to signing Nice’s Jean-Michael Seri and Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez.

But for Coutinho, his focus is now on facing Burnley this weekend and Klopp believes he is ready to play.

"He is ready for us to think about him," said Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.

"He has trained outstanding in the few sessions that we have had so far."

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