Philippe Coutinho makes things clear after "refusing" to play for Barcelona

Ex-Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has defended himself and his professionalism after allegations he refused to come on for Barcelona last weekend. The Blaugranas were 3-0 up away at Celta Vigo when the Brazilian was sent to warm up ahead of replacing the injured Ansu Fati at half-time. But Barca's interim coach Sergi Barjuan would send on Alejandro Balde, with the 29-year-old remaining unused on the bench as the La Liga giants saw their lead obliterated with former Red Iago Aspas netting a brace, including a 96th minute equaliser, to claim an unlikely 3-3 draw. According to some reports Coutinho had refused to come on, while it was suggested elsewhere that Barjuan was left unimpressed by his attitude when warming up. But while away on international duty with Brazil, the former Liverpool man has rubbished any suggestions that he has been unprofessional at Camp Nou.

"Since I returned, I did not have a sequence of four or five games from the beginning to be able to reach my best level, get match fit," he told reporters.   "I was a little bit surprised when I arrived home and saw this, that I am being called a lazy player in the media. I have always been a professional in my entire career.   "I have never had any lack of professionalism - you can check at all clubs that I have ever played - I have always respected everybody, my team-mates, staff, all the people that I have worked with.   "I confess I was a little bit surprised when I saw that. But that's fine, I respect the opinion of all you journalists."

Source - Liverpool ECHO Join us on Telegram!/ Follow us on Twitter!

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