LIVERPOOL are more likely to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona now than they were in the summer because they are less dependent on him.

That’s according to The Telegraph’s Jason Burt, who says a deal for the playmaker to head to the Nou Camp this month is possible.

Coutinho has long been linked with Barcelona as a potential replacement for veteran midfield maestro Andres Iniesta.

And the La Liga giants made their interest known him over the summer after they lost his compatriot Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.


Liverpool held firm and managed to keep hold of Coutinho but renewed speculation has suggested Barcelona will swoop now that the transfer window is open.

"I think it is possible in this window," Burt said on Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement show.

"Obviously Liverpool won't want to let him go, but what's interesting with Coutinho is that the story has slightly shifted.

"Last summer, it was: ‘There is no way we can let him go', but Liverpool are slightly different now and not so dependent on him.

"Look at the way Mo Salah has been playing, Sadio Mane is back, Roberto Firmino is playing fantastically well, and Adam Lallana is going to come back into the team.

"There's interest in Thomas Lemar, Naby Keita's coming in, and people are wondering if Liverpool are as dependant on Coutinho as they thought they were. I think the fans almost feel that a little bit as well.

"I still think it would be a mistake to let him go in this window because, why now? But the problem is, when will Barcelona come calling again?

"There was a fear from his camp last summer that it was now or never, but I think they might come back again this summer.

"I think they are still interested in him but they can wait.

"I think it probably will still happen, I'm not quite sure when, and I think Liverpool and their fans will accept it a bit more now than they did last summer, which vindicates their decision to hang onto him until now."