Coutinho not in Liverpool squad for Hoffenheim

Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho has been left out of Liverpool's squad for their Champions League play-off first-leg match away to Hoffenheim on Tuesday. The Brazil playmaker, 25, missed Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Watford on Saturday due to a back problem. But he submitted a transfer request the day before the game and is reported to have been the subject of an unsuccessful £90 million ($116.7 million, 99 million euros) bid from Barcelona.

Philippe Coutinho isn't named in Liverpool's squad for their Champions League qualifier against Hoffenheim.https://t.co/Gi5W5G9VSO #LFC pic.twitter.com/LimtjFirtt

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 14, 2017

Barcelona have targeted Coutinho, as well as Borussia Dortmund's French winger Ousmane Dembele, after selling Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record 222 million euros ($261.7 million) deal. Liverpool's American owners Fenway Sports Group issued a statement last Friday saying Coutinho would not be sold at any price. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he has no control over the situation.

OFFICIAL: Philippe Coutinho has not been included in the Liverpool squad to face Hoffenheim in the Champions League on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/msoRoosaop

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 14, 2017

"As a manager of a football club I have bosses, and if the bosses decide, for example, we sell a player or we don't sell him, then I have to accept it," he said after the game at Watford. "The only thing is I work with the players I have. That is what I'm always doing." Liverpool play Hoffenheim at Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Tuesday and welcome the German side to Anfield next Wednesday, with a place in the Champions League group phase at stake. Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will also miss the trip to Germany due to a thigh injury.

BREAKING NEWS: Philippe Coutinho left out of Liverpool's squad to face Hoffenheim in Champions League play-off. More to come pic.twitter.com/UmlrEf8Yb4

— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) August 14, 2017