Liverpool allegedly asked Barcelona to "stop harassing" Philippe Coutinho as the La Liga giants attempted to woo the Brazilian to Spain over the summer.

The 25-year-old was heavily pursued by Ernesto Valverde's side over the summer but the Reds were adamant that he was not for sale, rejecting three bids from Barcelona, including a top offer of £114m.

According to leaked emails published today by German newspaper Der Spiegel, Barca's first offer of £72m on July 20 was flat out rejected, as was a subsequent offer of £90m in early August.

The second offer was turned down by Reds sporting director Michael Edwards, who also said: "I ask you amicably to stop harassing Coutinho publicly and privately. No amount of money will change our minds."

The emails also reveal that the final rejected offer was to the tune of £114m, while personal terms for Coutinho would have seen him earn £101m over his five-year contract and his agent would have been in line for a £9m payment.

The leaks also corroborate Liverpool's insistence that they did not demand €200m (£183m) for the Brazilian in the final throes of the transfer window.