London: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said midfielder Philippe Coutinho would not be sold at any price, as British media reported the club had rejected a second bid worth 100 million euros ($117 million) from Barcelona.

Barcelona had already been rebuffed last month in an 80 million euro bid for the 25-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Inter Milan for 8.5 million pounds ($11 million) in 2013.

The 24-time Spanish league champions increased the offer to 85 million euros plus 15 million in add-ons but Liverpool have rejected the second bid, maintaining their stance that the player is not for sale, according to the reports.

“Liverpool is not a club that has to sell players. That is set in stone. So what they offer in the end doesn’t matter,” Sky Germany quoted Klopp as saying.

“From a financial standpoint, there is no price limit to let him go. No price at which we are ready to give in. Our goal is to have the best possible team. So we want to keep our guys and add new ones. That is our plan.” The Merseyside club’s position on the Brazil international, who was a key player in Klopp’s squad last campaign, is boosted by Coutinho’s signing of a new five-year contract last season.

Media reports indicate that Barcelona are targeting Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele as replacements for Brazil forward Neymar, who joined Paris St Germain last week for a world record transfer fee of 222 million euros.

While Spanish media have suggested that a deal for Coutinho’s move to Barcelona was close to completion, British media say Liverpool have not and will not make any plans to discuss the player’s future with the Catalan club.

SOC-LIVERPOOL Barcelona target Coutinho may miss Liverpools opener

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SOC-LIVERPOOL: Barcelona target Coutinho may miss Liverpool’s opener due to back injury By Chris Bascombe

Philippe Coutinho is an injury doubt for Liverpool’s opening Premier League game, having missed training again yesterday (Wednesday). The midfielder has not trained for a week because of a sore back and his continued absence means he is running out of time to prove his fitness for the trip to Watford. The knock comes amid ongoing speculation about his future, and inevitably there will be cynicism about the timing of his absence as Barcelona continue their courtship. Liverpool insist there is no link between Coutinho missing training and Barcelona’s efforts to sign him. The 25-year-old has been assessed by the club’s medical team and has been attending the training ground every day for treatment. If the Coutinho is not available this weekend, manager Jurgen Klopp will be eager to include him in the travelling party heading to Hoffenheim for the Champions League qualifier. The Brazilian is not the only injury doubt as Daniel Sturridge has not trained since last week due to a thigh problem, while Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne are also absent. Clyne’s back problems offer an opportunity for youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold. One of the most striking images of Liverpool’s pre-season was the teenager leaving Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery on his backside during Liverpool’s win in the Allianz Arena. The man-marking of the Frenchman was further evidence the 18- year-old will not defer to esteemed opponents as he prepares to start the season as Liverpool’s first-choice right-back. “I try not to pay too much respect to the players I am playing against,” said Alexander-Arnold. “I think that is what can affect you. You have to go out there and focus on yourself and not who you are up against. “I did not think about getting a souvenir [of the game] or anything. I just went straight into the changing room because that is what I am used to doing. “It was obviously going to be a tough task for me going up against a world-class player, and one of the best in the world. “You just have to see it as a chance and that is what I do every time the manager picks me to go on the pitch. I just have to take the opportunity and show why I deserve that chance. I tried to do that against Bayern.” It is not the first time Alexander-Arnold has excelled in illustrious company. Having made his Premier League debut at Old Trafford last season, he was eased into senior duties for the remainder of the campaign but will have a more prominent role this year. Klopp tailored his pre-season training to ensure, if required, he will be ready for the season’s opener and Champions League qualifier three days later. “I’m not sure whether I will get that opportunity,” said Alexander-Arnold. “I will be fighting for that position, as will all the other lads. If I get told I am playing against Watford, I will look to take that chance.” A regular start at Anfield will offer compensation for the sacrifice the rookie made over the summer, when he sat out England Under-19s’ European Championship glory at his manager’s request. “I featured a lot during the qualifying games but to not be there to lift the trophy with them was a little bit... it hurt a little bit,” he said. “I watched the whole tournament and I thought we deserved to win it. “I was watching like a fan on the edge of my seat hoping we would dig deep and get that win. When they did, I was made up to see them lift the trophy. “I spoke to the lads and wished them all the best with the celebrations. I said it was a shame not to be there, but the focus during pre-season was to concentrate on club football and that is what I have done.”

The Daily Telegraph