Barcelona players Arthur Melo and Riqui Puig have raised eyebrows with their social-media reaction to the news of the club's sacking of head coach Ernesto Valverde.

Barcelona pair 'like' club's Instagram accouncement of Valverde sacking

After two and a half years in charge, Valverde was replaced by Quique Setién on Monday - and Arthur and Puig were among the nearly two million Instagram users to 'like' Barça's announcement of the coach's departure on the platform.

Players also post farewell message to Valverde

Arthur, who played 56 times under Valverde following his 2018 move from Gremio, later took to social media to post a goodbye message to the 55-year-old, writing: "Today a very important person for me since my arrival in Barcelona has left.

"I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Ernesto Valverde for having made me feel so welcome at the club," added the Brazilian international, who impressed in his first season at Barça but has endured an indifferent 2019/20 due to injuries and inconsistency. "He was crucial to my adaptation to Spain."

Barça B's Puig, 20, who has made a total of three first-team appearances since being given his debut by Valverde in December 2018, also posted a farewell message, telling the coach: "With you I made my debut, grew and learned in the first team. Thanks a lot and best of luck, Ernesto."