Philippe Coutinho will not be heading back to Liverpool this summer, with manager Jurgen Klopp claiming a move for the Barcelona star "is just not possible" at this stage.
The Anfield boss says his former player would be a help to the Reds, but claims the Premier League side cannot afford to bring the Brazilian back. Liverpool are among the clubs to have been linked with a move for their former star, but Klopp has emphatically ruled out any such transfer business for his club this summer.
"In general, Phil Coutinho helps each team in the world, still - 100 per cent," Klopp said. "It's not about that.
"I like Phil, I think he's a fantastic footballer and all that stuff, but it would be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big-money signing and it's not our year for that.
"It's just not possible. As I said, having him would make each team better - us included - but I really hope that he finds his luck at Barcelona.
"Or maybe he found it there. We have contact, but not that close contact that I know exactly how he is doing, but the rest is only newspaper talk and stuff like that.
"If everything was true what newspapers write about me - wow! If it's similar to what they write about me, I would say he's completely happy at Barcelona and wants to sign a new six-year contract or whatever."
Liverpool have not considered a loan deal for Coutinho, who scored 54 goals in 201 appearances for the club following his £8.5m transfer from Inter Milan in January 2013.
The European champions are expected to do minimal business this summer, with their policy of player retention being paramount.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dismissed suggestions that his side should bid for Gareth Bale, calling the Welsh winger "outstandingly expensive".
However, Klopp has dismissed suggestions that his side should go after Bale.
"These fantastic football players have some strange ideas," Klopp told Sky Sports News in a clear reference to Ince.
"I respect them all so much, but they probably only say these things because somebody asked them.
"Bale is a Real Madrid player and if he leaves it will be outstandingly expensive and big wages.
"He is an outstanding player, I like him a lot but it is not about him. You have to create a team.
"A team is not a collection of the best individual players, they have to work together."
