The Brazilian has been linked with the Catalan giants since the start of the season and was not part of the Reds’ squad for Monday’s 2-1 victory at Burnley due to a minor thigh complaint.
Build-up to that clash was dominated by sportswear manufacturer Nike advertising customisation of Barca’s 2017-18 kit along with the caption: “Philippe Coutinho is ready to light up Camp Nou. Get your 2017-18 FC Barcelona kit with the Magician’s name on it. Act fast – free personalisation only available until 6 January.”
Nike later deleted the page and it remains unclear whether it was a PR blunder or online hacking, but Klopp remains unfazed either way.
“I heard about it. I couldn’t be less interested in anything in the world but someone told me and I thought, ‘Wow, top story’,” Klopp told a media conference.
