Coutinho is currently in Barcelona ahead of completing a £142million move to the Spanish side with the loss of such a key player midway through the campaign has been labelled as a blow to Liverpool’s hopes for the rest of the season.

It’s understood Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group asked Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu if they could keep Coutinho until the summer while agreeing to sell him in January.

But according to Spanish newspaper AS, Liverpool’s plea to keep Coutinho came after they were unable to sign Lemar or bring forward the arrival of Keita, who is due to join in July.

And the report says Barcelona’s determination to sign Coutinho meant they quickly refused Liverpool’s proposal.

The claims suggest Liverpool are finding difficulty in finding a replacement for Coutinho.

Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez has also been mentioned as a transfer target.

And ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes Liverpool need to sign someone as soon as possible to replace Barcelona-bound Coutinho.

“I am not surprised but disappointed he [Coutinho] is leaving because he is a fantastic player to watch,” Aldridge told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek. 

“£140million is a lot of money and Liverpool have to spend it wisely.

“They have spent £75million of it wisely on Virgil van Dijk - a player we have needed for some time in a leader at the back - but he [Coutinho] needs replacing and we have got to do it ASAP.”