Philippe Coutinho is ready to accept defeat in his attempt to force through a move to La Liga giants Barcelona this week and shift his focus back at Liverpool.
Both Jurgen Klopp and the Kop owners had made it very clear that Coutinho will not be sold this summer despite Barcelona willing to pay £120m for securing the signature of the Brazilian.
Liverpool have rejected Barcelona’s three back-to-back bids for Coutinho, but the Spanish giants believe that the Brazilian superstar is keen to make a move to the Nou Camp.
Earlier last week, the Reds had issued an official statement saying that Coutinho would not be allowed to leave but the Brazilian playmaker has handed in a transfer request in order to force trough a move to Barcelona.
Coutinho, who is desperate to make a switch to the Nou Camp is yet to play a game for Liverpool this season due to a ‘back injury’.
Barca’s £118million third bid was immediately rejected, which came after the Catalan giants hoped to make a breakthrough after Coutinho handed in a transfer request.
This followed a statement from the Kop owners, Fenway Sports Group, who made it clear that the Brazilian playmaker would not be allowed to leave this summer.
And now, Coutinho understands and respects the decision taken by the Liverpool bosses and is now focussing on getting back to full fitness after a back problem and giving his best for the Reds this season.
And sources close to the player have revealed that Coutinho is still keen to make a dream move to Barcelona but has understood that the move is only possible next summer.
He believes that Liverpool would be ready to let him leave next summer as the Reds would have time to line up his replacement.
However, that will be dependent on Barcelona still wanting to rope in the Brazilian.
Coutinho, who scored 14 goals last season, signed a new five-year deal in January, which did not include a release clause. He joined Liverpool from Inter Milan for £8.5m in 2013.
Since then he has made a total of 181 appearances and scored 42 goals.
