The Brazil international playmaker, who only moved to Camp Nou 12 months ago, has struggled to earn a starting berth under Ernesto Valverde of late
Philippe Coutinho has been assured that he has a long-term future at Barcelona despite finding himself stuck on the bench of late.
The Brazil international is just a year into his career at Camp Nou.
A €160 million (£144m/$183m) transfer during the 2018 January window took him to Catalunya from Liverpool amid much excitement.
The 26-year-old has struggled to justify that hefty price tag and started to slip down the pecking order under Ernesto Valverde as a result.
He has not started a game since December 2 and saw just seven minutes of action during a 2-1 victory over Getafe on Sunday.
Coutinho is, however, tied to a lengthy contract and is being backed to come good, with Barca director Guillermo Amor telling Movistar: "Coutinho's a player with a lot of experience, one of the best players in Europe and he is ready to play [for] five minutes or 90 minutes.
"He's a player that thinks more about the team than himself and there are no doubts about him being one of the best players in the world. He's always played well for Barca, he could play [every game] from the off.
"Barca signed him because he's one of the best in the world and he's going to give us a lot. He's got many years left on his contract and a lot to give to Barcelona."
Of Coutinho’s 22 appearances this season, 15 have come from the start.
He has contributed five goals and four assists across La Liga and the Champions League, but more is expected of him.
Ousmane Dembele has filled a role on the left of Barca’s attacking unit as Valverde explores other options, while Arturo Vidal and Arthur are being preferred in more central midfield berths.
There is still time for Coutinho to make his mark this season, as the games come and thick and fast after the winter break.
Barca are seeking to successfully defend their Liga title this term, while they also have Copa del Rey and Champions League last 16 outings approaching in the coming weeks.
PrinceSl
124
Coutinho has been playing poorly as an attacker, he is struggling to bench Dembele in that position but we bought him as Iniesta replacement so why not play him there? This is reasons why i want valverde out, he don't know how to manage players. Rakitic play every match while Coutinho and others are benched. Sometimes he should play Coutinho Sergio and Arthur in midfield or Coutinho Vidal and Arthur. Try to be changing the line up so that everyone will get game time. Dembele, Suarez and Messi also need to sit out sometimes so that Malcom , Denis and Alena will play. You can literarily predict our next lineup unless injury come up.
P_Coutinho7
81
I don't care.. What position coutinho play for barca.. Even LMF or LWF.. I just want to see he play for every match and get more time.. If he starts as LW.. He should be more focus on attacking.. Make more chances and score goals
haubceisty
75
just buy him because he world best player bullshit, dont waste time sitting in the bench when u best world player, go find new big club to play regularly or comeback to liverpool
Cobina
73
My brother Coutinho, I really pity you, go ask Mikel Obi or Victor Moses how are they doing
footballworldfresh
72
Barcelona players needs to be taken out... like a treat to mend relationships....yesterday match... dembele and Suarez didn't mix well with dembele deciding whether to pass to Suarez or score which spoiled one chance....., Coutinho and Suarez chemistry was bad that Suarez was covered by opponents and he saw coutinho on an open ground but decided to ignore him which led to coutinho doing the same.....Rakitic was having problem .. he wasn't playing like an old player but a new one.... like he was afraid of making mistakes so he won't be criticized..... Barcelona needs a get away trip to cool things..... because with this bad relationship.... they will still lose matches
RealMd13
64
😂♥️ Coutinho Is a wonderful and No one can name 20 top players in the world 🌍 today without naming Coutinho cuz Coutinho is one of the most gifted player the world as ever seen this phenomenon he is an artistic genius dribbler and he does it so smoothly at his own pace! and he has crazy ball control he is architecture a creator and a playmaker but also he is an Lethal goal scorer especially from Long range shot so I think he should be Valued more at FC Barcelona! And €120 is not cheap! 👌🏾
teoabcelm
58
What's your future? I'm telling you what dude, remember what was happening to the former Gunner's captain Cesc Frabregas? His situation was so similar to yours, and I'm strongly believe that you're gonna be as like him to shown to the exit door real soon. Barcelona usually abandon traitors from the EPL, never think of they are the train to brought you to success, in the other hand, in fact they are to terminate all betrayers sweet dream of being the next "Leo". Wake up dude, life never so easy, never so straight forward, never so inevitable and right!