Liverpool want Rakitic as part of Coutinho deal

According to Diario Gol, via The Mirror, Liverpool want Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic in any deal for Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona’s pursuit of Coutinho has been well publicised, as has Liverpool’s determination to keep him.

Although, the report claims that if Liverpool were to let Coutinho join Barca – they would want Rakitic in exchange.

Jurgen Klopp rates Rakitic highly and is said to think he would fit in nicely alongside Jordan Henderson and Emre Can in the middle of the park.

Barcelona have already had two offers rejected for Coutinho, with the latest one said to be in the region of £90m.

The Spanish side are looking to replace Neymar, who joined PSG for a world-record €222m earlier this month.

Coutinho has handed in a transfer request at Liverpool and is reportedly unwilling to play for the club again.

The attacking midfielder is currently sidelined with a back injury, which would have ruled him out of the game against Hoffenheim.