Liverpool remain adamant that Philippe Coutinho won't be sold - despite the Brazil international submitting a written transfer request urging the club to let him join Barcelona.

The ECHO understands that the bombshell email was sent directly from Coutinho to the club's sporting director Michael Edwards shortly after 1pm today.

However, Liverpool insist the transfer request changes nothing and they intend to snub any further approaches from Barcelona.

The fact that Coutinho has taken steps to agitate for a move is a major blow for the Reds on the eve of the new Premier League season.

Klopp on Coutinho latest & FSG statement

Liverpool rejected an improved offer of £90million from Barcelona for Coutinho this week and earlier today FSG released a statement ruling out any prospect of doing a deal with the Catalan giants.

It read: “We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho.

"The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes."

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(Image: Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Speaking at his Melwood press conference today, boss Jurgen Klopp revealed that Coutinho will miss Saturday's trip to Watford with a back injury and is a doubt for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Hoffenheim.

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Of the club statement on Coutinho's future, Klopp added: "If FSG have said something like this, then that's the statement. I've said about it a few times, but maybe it's not been 100% clear. Now you can read it.

“That's the way it will go, there's nothing else to say about it. The bigger issue is that he's not available."