LISTEN: Liverpool are under absolutely NO PRESSURE to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, insists Damien Comolli

Damien Comolli has told talkSPORT the future of Philippe Coutinho is ‘still very much in Liverpool’s hands’ and that reports claiming the Brazilian has agreed a deal to join Barcelona mean NOTHING.

The former Liverpool director of football joined Tuesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show to share his thoughts on the current uncertainty over Coutinho’s future at Anfield.

The Reds maestro is apparently being targeted by Barcelona as a potential replacement for countryman Neymar, who is reportedly close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record £199million deal.

Reports from Spain claim Coutinho has had his head turned by the interest and is now keen on joining the Catalan club, however, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has repeatedly insisted his star man is not for sale this summer.

The German has answered questions on the topic ever since the rumours began a few weeks ago, and he appeared irritated by reporters as he was forced to again reiterate the club’s stance on Monday.

Comolli agrees it would be catastrophic for Liverpool’s progress if they lose Coutinho and insisted the club are under absolutely no pressure to sell and have every right to say ‘no’ to Barcelona.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the Frenchman said: “It would be extremely difficult, almost impossible, to replace Coutinho with a like-for-like player in terms of skills and knowledge of the Premier League.

“I don’t think Liverpool can afford to sell him...but if they actually want to keep the player, I think they can say ‘no’.

“The [financial] landscape has changed massively over the last 12 or 24 months in world football.

“In the deal we had with Suarez, he told me one thing: ‘If Real Madrid or Barcelona come for me, would you let me go?’

“However, because the Premier League has so much financial ability to resist any bid, I think if Liverpool want to say no, they say no.

“That’s exactly what PSG did with Barcelona and Verratti. Barcelona had agreed a deal with Verratti, but they came to PSG and they said, ‘absolutely no chance, the player is staying’.

“Liverpool don’t need the money – no club in the Premier league needs the money because they’re so much coming in from the TV rights.

“If the player wants to go to Barcelona and they feel they have agreed a deal, it doesn’t mean much. The biggest hurdle is to agree a deal with Liverpool.

“It’s still very much in Liverpool’s hands.

“Honestly, even if the player wants to go, I think it’s very, very possible for the club to keep him.”

Meanwhile, Spanish football expert – and Barcelona resident – Graham Hunter believes Barca are determined to sign the Brazilian this summer…if Neymar does indeed leave for PSG.

Also speaking on the Sports Breakfast, he added: “What is absolutely certain is they won’t give up quickly and they have the money…and I’m convinced Coutinho wants to come.

“Over here the media are saying it’s basically a done deal and it’s going to come any day now – I don’t see it like that at all.

“But what you can take for absolutely certain is that Barcelona have identified Coutinho as the right age, the right skills, the right type of guy to bring in to try and douse the pain of losing Neymar.”