Liverpool 'still considering Philippe Coutinho return'

Liverpool have left the door open for Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho to return to Anfield, according to a report.

The Brazil international quickly became a fan favourite on Merseyside following his 2013 arrival from Inter Milan and left for Barcelona having scored 54 goals and assisted 45 more in 201 appearances.

However, Coutinho has failed to justify his nine-figure price tag during an injury-plagued three years at Camp Nou, and the 29-year-old is thought to be facing the axe as Barca desperately attempt to offload some of their highest earners.

A return to Liverpool was previously thought to have been off the cards, but Mundo Deportivo claims that Coutinho remains on the Reds' radar as Xherdan Shaqiri seeks a move away.

The report adds that Barca would be happy to sanction a loan or permanent deal for Coutinho, but Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly preparing to move for the attacker if Harry Kane leaves the club.

Coutinho has registered 37 goal contributions from 90 games in a Barcelona shirt, but a serious knee injury restricted him to just 14 appearances in all competitions last term.