Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists that Philippe Coutinho remains ‘essential’ to the club.

Coutinho was denied a summer move to Barcelona and the Spanish giants are still keen to land the 25-year-old.

As we revealed in October, Liverpool’s hierarchy have told Klopp that he will have the final say on Coutinho’s future – and as it stands the German is insistent that he wants to keep the former Inter Milan ace.

Football INDEX Watch – Philippe Coutinho – Just under £5 and rated No 6 on the Index

Klopp has now denied fresh reports from Spain that they had put a £128million price tag on Coutinho.

“Named a price? Interesting,” said Klopp. “There is absolutely nothing to say about this.

“Of course Phil is still essential for us.

“Should we stop thinking about him in the moment just because there are more stories about him in the newspapers in Spain?”

Bookmakers are backing Liverpool to keep hold of Coutinho and he remains odds on at 1/9 to stay at Anfield.