Jurgen Klopp has been handed a boost prior to his appointment as Liverpool manager after it emerged that Barcelona will not pursue a deal for Phillipe Coutinho.
Coutinho has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, with Spanish newspaper Sport, claiming that the Brazilian would be “happy to sign” for the La Liga club.
However, Robert Fernandez, technical director at the Nou Camp, has quashed any rumours of a possible transfer.
He told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: “Coutinho is a great player, with a great condition, but we have a lot of playmakers.
“It isn’t easy to find players who are capable of playing for Barca.”
Recent events will be a welcome surprise for the former Borussia Dortmund manager, who is set to take the helm at Anfield on Thursday.