Barca hope Liverpool to be reasonable about Coutinho

The chances of signing Coutinho have never been excessively high. A back-up plan in case Verratti fails, but Liverpool will not prove easier than PSG to break down.

The Reds will not offer the same facilities as Benfica did with Semedo. There are no clauses, if the club refuses to sell the player then that is it, unless the footballer in question attempts to force the move. And even then, the club will likely hold the upper hand.

Barcelona are hoping Liverpool will be open to negotiations and that, for the right price, they will accept Coutinho's exit.

But it is not hope, really. It is fear. Fear the inevitable will happen and Klopp's side will refuse to sell the Brazilian, realising they have no need to accept an offer from the Spanish giants, however big.

Without Coutinho, nor Verratti, and maybe even without Neymar, as his fellow countryman's signing would be an incentive to keep Neymar at the Camp Nou.