LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp refused to be drawn on the future of Philippe Coutinho yesterday as speculation about another bid from Barcelona escalates.

Coutinho is currently sidelined with a thigh strain which has ruled him out of tonight’s FA Cup Merseyside derby at home to Everton.

However, the Reds boss expects the Brazil international to be available to face Premier League leaders Manchester City on January 14.

Liverpool turned down three bids from Barcelona in August — the final one was £118 million which comprised add-ons totalling over £30m — and that resulted in Coutinho handing in a transfer request, which was also rejected.

The club’s principal owner John W Henry publicly stated at the time that Liverpool would not sell the Brazilian. There has been no such declaration so far this winter and a bid has yet to materialise from Catalonia despite increased speculation of another move for the playmaker.

Reports have also suggested Coutinho believes he has played his final match for the club.

Despite another injury to Coutinho coinciding with the opening of the transfer window — the Brazilian missed the whole of August with a back problem — Klopp is already looking towards the City game to bring him back.

But Klopp would not be drawn on the possibility of selling him.

Both Coutinho and top scorer Mohamed Salah (groin) will miss the visit of Everton but the match could see a debut for £75m signing Virgil van Dijk.

The Netherlands international completed his move from Southampton on January 1, but Klopp is in no rush to send out the world’s most expensive defender.

“Mo and Phil are not available so it is not possible. With Virgil it is different, he is obviously healthy and I have to make a decision for this game,” said Klopp.

“I can imagine everyone is desperate to see him on the pitch, but from our point of view there is no rush and it is much more important how many good games he can play for us.”

Loris Karius will start in goal with Simon Mignolet given the weekend off as third-choice Danny Ward will be on the bench.

The Wales international spent a successful season on loan at Huddersfield last year but has been restricted to one appearance in the League Cup defeat at Leicester back in September.

That does not mean he or any of his underused teammates are primed for loans this month.

“Loris will play. I am pretty sure Wardy is sub, which means Simon has a little break,” said Klopp.

“Danny is a young, very skilled goalkeeper with a lot of potential which means space for improvement and we are quite desperate to build on that together with him.”