Neymar says Philippe Coutinho is “living in great sadness” as Liverpool continue to block Barcelona move

Philippe Coutinho is playing with “sadness” as he awaits his desired move to Barcelona from Liverpool, according to his Brazil teammate Neymar.

Coutinho, who is yet to feature for Liverpool this season, appeared to be emotional as he scored for the Selecao last night in a 2-0 win against Ecuador.


Neymar, who left Barcelona this summer in a £198m deal with Paris Saint-Germain, spoke of Coutinho’s sorrow after the game, telling reporters: “I’m very happy that he scored a goal because at this moment he lives a very great sadness.

“He helped us to the victory. He’s a great player and did very well when he came on.”
Coutinho to leave Liverpool in 2018?

Meanwhile reports suggest Liverpool have opened the door to Philippe Coutinho to leave for Barcelona after the 2018 World Cup.

The Anfield club are reported to be ready to sell their star performer to the La Liga giants, but in a year’s time, in a deal similar to the one they struck with RB Leipzig for £48m Naby Keita.

Negotiations for the player are said to have resumed this morning, and there are claims a fourth bid of £138 million has been submitted. However, Sport reports that Barcelona will still try to convince Liverpool to sell now.

Barcelona’s non-wavering interest in Coutinho this summer, in which they have bid multiple times for the player, stems from Coutinho’s form for Liverpool last season.

He created 65 chances in the league for the Reds, and scored a respectable 13 goals as Jurgen Klopp’s team claimed fourth spot.
Brazil looking imperious under Tite

Coutinho hasn’t let the circumstances around his possible move to Spain affect his form for the national team. On Thursday night the diminutive playmaker finished a virtuoso goal by way of a Gabriel Jesus assist.

Coutinho played a neat chip up to the Man City forward, who then juggled the ball over one onrushing defender, before heading down for the Liverpool man to side foot home.

This on a night where new Barcelona midfielder – and potential teammate of Coutinho at the Catalan club – Paulinho scored too.

The ex-Spurs box-to-box midfielder continues his resurgence since that poor stay at Tottenham.

Brazil under current manager Tite have now won 9 out of 9 World Cup qualifying matches, scoring 26 and conceding only 2.

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