Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp braced for fresh Philippe Coutinho bid, Reds won’t crumble

LIVERPOOL will refuse to cave in and let Barcelona snatch Philippe Coutinho in January, according to reports.

Mark Lawrenson: Philippe Coutinho is a problem for Klopp

Philippe Coutinho was the subject of intense interest from Barcelona over the summer, but he ended up staying at Anfield.

Liverpool received and rejected bids, the last of which was £118million, and they dug their heels in over the Brazilian.

After missing the start of the campaign with a back injury, Coutinho’s reintegration into the first team has paid dividends, and he has scored two goals in three Premier League starts.

However, the Coutinho saga is far from over.

The Sunday Mirror report Barcelona are set to test the Reds’ resolve with a fresh bid when the transfer window reopens in January.

Philippe Coutinho in action for LiverpoolGETTY

Philippe Coutinho is expected to be chased by Barcelona again in January

It is suggested Coutinho is prepared to make his feelings clear and he has supposedly stayed in touch with the officials of the La Liga giants.

Nevertheless, it is claimed Liverpool refuse to crumble and won’t back down.

Klopp is desperate to keep hold of the 25-year-old and supposedly has the full backing of the club’s owner JW Henry.

Liverpool boss Jurgen KloppGETTY

Jurgen Klopp is desperate to keep hold of Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho is less than a year into a new five-year deal he signed in January which sees him earn £150,000 a week, making him the Reds’ highest-paid player.

The playmaker meanwhile, could next Saturday (12.30pm).

Along with his compatriot Roberto Firmino, they will be playing in a World Cup qualifier for Brazil against Chile which finishes in the early hours of Wednesday morning and they mat struggle to be 100 per cent fit for the next game.

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