Philippe Coutinho is a “perfect fit” for Barcelona, according to ex-Liverpool assistant manager Pako Ayestaran.
The Spanish coach believes the wantaway Reds’ star can bring control back to a Barcelona side embarrassed by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
Los Cules were thrashed 5-1 on aggregate by their great rivals, and in the post-Neymar era look a shadow of their former selves.
Liverpool have gone on record to declare Coutinho is not for sale at any price. Two Barcelona offers - the second of £90million - have been rejected.
Thus, in a bid to force a move Coutinho has handed in a transfer request at Anfield. And Ayestaran believes "he ticks all the boxes" for the Catalan club.
“Barca simply need a player like Coutinho, both tactically and for his quality. From a tactical point of view, I think he is a perfect fit,” Ayestaran told The Independent.
“They have already lost Xavi while Andres Iniesta is already in the latter stages of his career so will play less, and they thereby don’t manage to control the ball in the middle of the pitch in the same way, or make it arrive for the forwards at the right pace. They have lost that. Coutinho can offer this, he ticks all the boxes, and especially those penetrating passes.
“Liverpool’s game last year was all about attackers alternating positions so much, and it was often down to Coutinho to choose the right tempo of the play. He is also probably a better positional player than a player on the break, as he gives the right angles for passing options, his body shape is good, and he always chooses the right option.”
Liverpool have so far rejected two offers from the Spanish side for the Brazil international and continue to insist that he is going nowhere.
Barcelona general manager Pep Segura declared on Wednesday night that a deal was ‘close’ for Coutinho, and also Ousmane Dembele.
"We are close to Coutinho and Dembele, we are discussing their conditions but we do not know when they will be sealed,” said Segura.
Dortmund have laughed off that suggestion regarding the Frenchman while Liverpool have similarly distanced themselves from Segura’s claim.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking on Thursday, said there was “nothing new” regarding a potential departure.