Jurgen Klopp has steadfastly rebuffed reports that Liverpool could make a move to sign former fan favourite Coutinho from Barcelona.
The Brazilian left Merseyside for Camp Nou 18 months ago, but a Premier League return has been mooted, with Manchester United and Chelsea also linked.
The Reds have since emerged as potential frontrunners for his signature should Barcelona make Coutinho available, but Klopp, while speaking of his appreciation for the Copa America winner, has admitted he will not sanction a massive outlay to bring the Brazil international back to Anfield.
"In general, Phil Coutinho helps each team in the world, still -- 100%,” Klopp told ESPN.
"It's not about that. I like Phil, I think he's a fantastic footballer and all that stuff, but it would be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big-money signing and it's not our year for that.
"It's just not possible. As I said, having him would make each team better -- us included -- but I really hope that he finds his luck at Barcelona.
"Or maybe he found it there. We have contact, but not that close contact that I know exactly how he is doing, but the rest is only newspaper talk and stuff like that.
"If everything was true what newspapers write about me -- wow! If it's similar to what they write about me, I would say he's completely happy at Barcelona and wants to sign a new six-year contract or whatever.”
Coutinho was the star of Brazil’s Copa America success, earning a better WhoScored rating (7.73) than any other player at the summer tournament.
