Liverpool refute Barcelona claims of £183m Philippe Coutinho price tag

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp always insisted Coutinho is priceless to Liverpool, but Barca director Albert Soler claimed on Saturday that the Merseyside club did put a price tag on Coutinho and were open to selling to him

The Spanish club failed with three bids for the Brazil international - the final offer being worth up to £118m - as they attempted to secure a replacement for Neymar, who departed for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record £200m transfer.

"On Friday, after weeks of offers and talks, Liverpool put a price on the player that we wanted [Coutinho]," Soler said in a media conference, alongside sporting director Robert Fernandez, on Saturday.

"A price of €200m (£183m) and we decided we wouldn't do it."

Coutinho is yet to feature for Liverpool this season due to a back injury, but scored while playing for Brazil in the 1-0 win over Ecuador in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

The 25-year-old, who signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool in January, is expected to play for Brazil in their next qualifier against Colombia on Tuesday.

Sources: Skyspoorts