Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has claimed that the club would be losing "one of the best players in the world" if Philippe Coutinho joins Barcelona.

The Brazilian star is believed to be one of Barcelona's top targets in this window, but so far, Liverpool have refused to entertain the Spanish giants' offers of £72m and £80m.

Coutinho handed in a transfer request last week, shortly after Liverpool's American owners Fenway Sports Group released a statement insisting that the 25-year-old is not for sale.

When asked about the situation, Can told reporters: "I think it's no problem for us because nobody speaks in the team about that. Of course, if Philippe stays with us everybody is happy. In my eyes, he's one of the best players in the world. But if he goes, if he wants to go then everyone will wish him the best and we have to go again."

The playmaker has missed Liverpool's last two games with a back injury.