Liverpool to play hardball over Philippe Coutinho as Barcelona prepare £80m bid with Neymar's future uncertain

The Catalans feel they can get the 25-year-old Brazilian and that he wants to move to Camp Nou but the Reds know they must keep hold of him for the Klopp project to maintain momentum

Barcelona are believed to be preparing a bid of £80m for Coutinho (Getty Images)

Liverpool plan to take a hardline approach with Barcelona and resist any offer for Philippe Coutinho, as they aim to keep the player for this season’s challenges in both the Premier League and Champions League.

The Catalans have simultaneously felt that they can get the 25-year-old Brazilian playmaker and that he wants to go to the Camp Nou this summer, and sources in Spain believe they will make an offer of close to £80m.

While that would be considered far too low a bid by Liverpool even if they were contemplating a sale, the stance is that they will not consider any offer.

The Independent understands the Anfield hierarchy are fully aware of the potential consequences of any sale at this stage of the Jurgen Klopp project, and know they need to maintain a sense of momentum after qualifying for the Champions League.

The real test would come if Neymar leaves Barcelona, as their interest in Coutinho does imply might happen.

While many close to the club feel that the star's flirting with Paris Saint-Germain represents little more than the striker desiring a new contract, some feel Barca can’t currently significantly improve it.

That could see Neymar put himself into a corner, and has led to the pursuit of potential replacements. The flipside is also that if PSG did enact Neymar’s £192m release clause, Barca would suddenly be flush with cash to spend elsewhere.

In that event, they may be able to make a hugely persuasive offer, but Liverpool’s stance is currently that the player is not for sale.