Former Barcelona great Ronaldinho has set alarm bells ringing at Liverpool after revealing that the Spanish league champions are keeping a close eye on star midfielder Philippe Coutinho, although he stopped short of claiming that a bid is in the pipeline for his fellow Brazilian.

Coutinho is currently sidelined through injury and will miss Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Stoke City, though he could yet return for the New Year’s Eve fixture against Manchester City, having picked up an ankle injury in the 2-0 win over Sunderland at the end of November.

The 24-year-old has proven to be one of Jürgen Klopp’s most influential players this season as they contest for the Premier League title, but it appears his early season form has not gone unnoticed.

Ronaldinho, who now works as an ambassador to Barcelona, says that he hopes to see Coutinho back on the field sooner rather than later, and added that he’s gaining plenty of attention in Catalonia.

“I hope when he (Coutinho) returns from injury that he will continue the form he has been showing all season with Liverpool,” Ronaldinho said, as quoted by The Sun.

“He has been one of the stand out players in Europe this season – and I know there is a lot of admiration of him at Barcelona.

“Liverpool will want to keep him, they have built the team around him.

“But when you play at that level then there is always interest.”

Liverpool January transfer targets Show all 7 1 /7 Liverpool January transfer targets Liverpool January transfer targets Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) The Merseyside club failed with an £11m bid for the 18-year-old striker in the summer, but may try their hand at signing him again this January. Pulisic is one of Europe's most highly-rated teenagers, having already made his international debut for the United States. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) It would not be a transfer window without Liverpool being linked with somebody from Southampton. This time it's Van Dijk, who has emerged as one of the Premier League's best centre-halves since arriving on the south coast from Celtic. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen to strengthen his defence and the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back would be a good addition for the Reds. The German Tah is only 20 years of age but has impressed for both club and country this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Paul-Georges Ntep (Rennes) The left-midfielder’s deal at Rennes expires at the end of the season and so he will be free to sign a pre-contract in January. A strong dribbler of the ball, Ntep has been made two appearances for France. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) Seeing as Roberto Firmino is not a natural no. 9 and Daniel Sturridge has fallen out of favour, Liverpool have been linked with several strikers including French forward Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker is quick, explosive and has already reached double figures this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) The Athletic Bilbao youngster signed a new contract in January with a release clause of €50m, but the rumours linking him with Anfield have not died down. The 22-year-old would certainly fit in with Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Monchengladbach) Jurgen Klopp has long admired the Germany under-21 midfielder, who plies his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. Klopp will have to do battle with former club Dortmund to sign the German, while Italian giants Juventus are also interested. Getty

The revelation will alarm Liverpool, with Klopp stressing in the past that he has no intention of letting Coutinho leave as he looks to build something special at Anfield. While Coutinho has starred for the Reds this season with six goals and two assists, it is his ability to bring the best out of forward Roberto Firmino that has proven the most striking, with the Brazil international scoring five goals and making three assists as opposed to none of either when Coutinho is absent.