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Liverpool fear star player wants to quit the club for Barcelona - reports in Spain
LIVERPOOL fear Philippe Coutinho wants to join Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho could join Barcelona
Coutinho's sparkling form has helped Jurgen Klopp's side to joint-top of the Premier League.
The Reds are already seven points better off than last season and have 23 in total - the same amount as league leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.
Coutinho has been central to Liverpool's rise to the summit but he could prove difficult to hold onto in the long term.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Liverpool are worried Coutinho wants to quit the club for Barcelona.
Philippe Coutinho starred as Liverpool beat Crystal Palace on Saturday
It is claimed the 24-year-old is a fan of Barca and would be interested in moving to the Nou Camp.
Joorabchian is one of the most influential agents in football and famously irked Sir Alex Ferguson by convincing Carlos Tevez to join Manchester City rather than stay at Manchester United.
However, the super-agent couldn't entice Barcelona into making a bid with the Catalan giants focused on other targets.
The club instead opted for Arda Turan, who joined in a £30million from fellow La Liga side Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona ultimately opted for Arda Turan
But Sport say that despite the snub, Barcelona could yet sign Coutinho.
The midfielder, now in his fifth season at Anfield, has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
And Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes the Joorabchian is working hard to secure him a move away.
"He has become that big star and of course once you start getting something, you do hear that all the big Spanish clubs will be chasing him, so his agent has been working extra hard in the last couple of weeks," Thompson told Sky Sports.