Should Liverpool need help in sticking to their position on Philippe Coutinho, then they need not look far for the blueprint.

There is an irony that the stubborn resistance they have met from RB Leipzig during the pursuit of Naby Keïta now stands as an example of how they will seek to rebuff Barcelona’s attempts to lure Coutinho to the Nou Camp.

Determination to retain a prized asset has been a source of frustration for much of the week on Merseyside. Today it is worn as a badge of honour by manager Jürgen Klopp and owners Fenway Sports Group. It is an obvious contradiction.

Leipzig have consistently stated that Keïta is not for sale, a message repeated by sporting director Ralf Rangnick, CEO Oliver Mintzlaff