Philippe Coutinho ruled out of Liverpool’s Premier League opener with Watford as Jurgen Klopp continues to fight to keep him away from Barcelona move
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PHILIPPE COUTINHO has been officially ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League opener with Watford as he edges towards Barcelona move.
The Brazilian star, 25, has been nursing a back injury for the past week or so and will now miss the game at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
Coutinho has reportedly asked boss Jurgen Klopp to let him leave to join the Spanish giants.
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However, the German chief is adamant Liverpool are not a selling club and seems confident in keeping hold of him.
Liverpool most recently rejected a £90million bid for Coutinho while Klopp took the bold move of naming the star in their Champions League squad.
The Kop chief claimed: “Liverpool is not a club that has to sell players. That is set in stone. So what they pay in the end doesn’t matter.
“From a financial standpoint, there is no price limit to let him go or a price that we are ready to give in.
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“Our goal is to have the best possible team. So we want to keep our guys and add new ones. That is our plan.
“Today no player on the planet is untouchable.
“But a transfer is also a question of timing and if you have the opportunity and the need to react to such a transfer.
“Also you have to ask, if you have the time to react.
“But just because of one request of one club, we don’t have to think about that. We are not in that situation.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge will also miss the Prem opener at Watford through injury.
The England man injured himself while scoring in the resounding 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in pre-season.
Liverpool's stars meanwhile have been training as normal, spotted driving away from Melwood as they put in their final preparations for the Watford game.
Along with Coutinho and Klopp, skipper Jordan Henderson and Juventus target Emre Can were seen driving home from Thursday's session.
💎 Betting tips: Liverpool to beat Watford & BTTS, 11/5 💎
LIVERPOOL TO BEAT WATFORD & BTTS, 11/5
LIVERPOOL have won their last four opening day matches.
And they look excellent value to do the same against Watford on Saturday.
The Reds are 5/9 to win at Vicarage Road.
Both teams have scored in every one of Watford's opening day games in the Premier League so we like the look of a Liverpool win and BTTS double.
That pays out at 11/5 with Sun Bets. You can add it to your betslip here.
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