BARCA TELL COU NOT TO PLAY CL GAMES

PHILIPPE COUTINHO has been told NOT to play in Liverpool’s Champions League games by Barcelona, according to reports. Coutinho, 25, is yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool this season due to suffering from a reported back injury. He has since recovered from his problem and featured for Brazil in their 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia last week. The former Inter Milan man was rested by Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool’s 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City. But the Kop boss is hopeful he will be available for their Champions League opener against Sevilla as well as for the foreseeable future. However, Spanish outlet Don Balon claim Barcelona want him to refuse to play for the Reds in their European games. It is said the La Liga giants will attempt to sign Philippe Coutinho again in January after having three bids rejected for him during the summer transfer window. But Ernesto Valverde’s side apparently want him to not feature in any of Liverpool’s Champions League games as they want to utilise him if he signs for them in the winter window. Under regulations a player is unable to compete in European competition if they have already represented another club in the same tournament and in the same season. Former Liverpool star Paul Ince reckons Coutinho, who handed in a transfer request to try and force through a move to the Nou Camp, must now refocus his mind on proving his worth in the Champions League and giving his all for the Reds.