Neymar has warned Jurgen Klopp that Philippe Coutinho is devastated at having his dream move to Barcelona blocked.
Coutinho has been away on international duty with Brazil alongside Neymar, who became the £199 million world’s most expensive player in the transfer window.
Barca wanted Coutinho as his replacement but Liverpool boss Klopp stood firm and refused to sell his creative star.
Neymar said: “Unfortunately, instead of being a happy time for him, for his family, it’s a moment of anguish, disappointment and sadness. I like to see him happy because he is a teammate and a friend that I’ve had for a long time.”
Getting Coutinho back on an even keel will be a massive challenge for Klopp and his staff. Coutinho will fly back from Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in Colombia next Wednesday.
He has yet to play for Liverpool this season because of a back injury that was diagnosed by a Brazil team doctor as “stress”.
Coutinhocame on as a substitute and scored in the 2-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday night. Neymar added: “He was rewarded with a goal today, for his and our joy.”
Klopp have been at pains in public to play down Coutinho’s unhappiness because he did not want to widen the rift with the player.
Brazil coach Tite admitted the 25-year-old had struggled because of Liverpool’s refusal to allow him his dream move.
“Of course it affects him,” he said.
But Liverpool have proved they can rehabilitate talented South Americans who were denied move before, as their handling of Luis Suarez in 2014 shows.
They stood firm when Suarez tried to force through a move to Arsenal following their infamous bid of £40,000,001 and successfully integrated him back in the team. The Uruguay striker had his best season for the Reds scoring 31 goals as they fell agonisingly short of the title.
Suarez knuckled down because he loved playing and Liverpool hope Coutinho will show the same desire.
Despite Coutinho’s obvious disappointment, he knows he must perform this season with the World Cup in Russia next summer on the horizon.
The worry for Liverpool is if he sulks or wallows in self-pity. John Stones had a shocking season for Everton when they blocked his move to Chelsea in 2015.
That does not appear to be part of Coutinho’s character and he was always a total professional before Barcelona turned his head.
Liverpool will hope that old Coutinho will be the version that drives back through the gates of Melwood next week.