Liverpool attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho was not included in the 22-man travelling squad for the first leg of their Champions League playoff against Hoffenheim, the Premier League club said on Monday.
According to reports in British media, Barcelona target Coutinho submitted a transfer request last week after Liverpool rejected a second bid worth 100 million euros from the La liga club.
Coutinho also missed Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Watford on Saturday due to a back injury, with manager Jurgen Klopp conceding he had no control over the 25-year-old’s future at the club.
Under current Uefa rules, Coutinho’s participation in the playoff round against Hoffenheim would not jeopardise a move in the current transfer window. The Brazil international will remain eligible to feature for another club in next month’s Champions League group stage.
The Merseyside club will also be without striker Daniel Sturridge, who has failed to recover from a thigh injury sustained during the pre-season.
Hoffenheim host Liverpool at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Tuesday before the two sides meet again at Anfield next week.