Valverde has decided to leave out Rakitic, as well as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba, for his squad to take on Levante on Thursday evening.
Four Barcelona B players will have a chance to get first-team playing time. Riqui Puig, Juan Miranda, Moussa Wague and Chumi were included in the squad after training with Valverde's boys during the week. Oscar Mingueza, Oriol Busquets, Monchu and Alex Collado have also participated in the workouts but didn't receive a call-up for the game.
Munir El Haddadi is expectedly excluded. Ernesto Valverde has earlier confirmed that the club will try to sell the La Masia graduate.
Denis Suarez is another player who was rumoured to be on his way out, however, his transfer to Arsenal seems to be delayed as the midfielder travels to Valencia with Barcelona.
Barca's Squad vs Levante
Goalkeepers: Ter Stergen, Cillessen
Defenders: Semedo, Lenglet, Murillo, Roberto, Chumi, Wague
Midfielders: Sergio, Denis Suarez, Coutinho, Arthur, Alena, Vidal, Alena, Puig
Forwards: Dembele, Malcom