Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool players aren't distracted by Coutinho hype

Coutinho has been linked to Barcelona since the summer transfer window in which the La Liga giants made a string of unsuccessful bids for the Brazil international, and it is rumoured Barca will pick up where they left off in the January window.

Speaking ahead of his club's third round FA Cup clash against Everton on Friday, Klopp said: "They are professional football players. Sometimes they are in the middle of the story and sometimes they are sat next to the guy in the dressing room who is in the middle of the story."

"These young boys are used to this from a really early age and are used to ignoring things around them. If they are smart enough they ignore most of it.

"All the stories around are no problem. This story is not around since yesterday.

"We are focused on what we have an influence on. All the rest we have to ignore. It is clear there is a lot of excitement around."

With leaked Nike promotional material appearing to offer fans the opportunity to buy Barcelona shirts bearing Coutinho's name earlier this week, speculation as to the 25-year-old's future has reached fever pitch, but Klopp was nonetheless dismissive.

He added: "I am not interested in Barcelona. Sorry. What can I say about what they do?"

Coutinho, who was ruled out with a back injury shortly after rumours of Barcelona interest first transpired in the summer, is also unavailable for Friday's match.

It’s impossible for Klopp to plan his team’s future until he knows what’s happening with Coutinho.

For Liverpool, Coutinho could be the difference between a place in the top four at the end of the season or not – an undeniably distracting issue for players considering their next professional move. Especially given the likes of Daniel Sturridge, being kept on the backburner.

Not distracting you reckon? Hmmmmm. Let's ask Arsene Wenger about that, shall we? Can it be a coincidence for example, that the North Londoners' fall from the top four has coincided with ongoing contract issues around his star players Mest Ozil and Alexis Sanchez?

Arsenal could be practically haemorrhaging players if the persistent daily rumours that have gone with this saga are to be believed, and yet we are to expect such rumours not to distract players?