Philippe Coutinho will be a notable absentee as the Liverpool squad head to Dubai for few days break following their FA Cup win over Everton.

While his team mates are jetting to the Arab state to prepare for next weekend’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City, Coutinho will not make the trip as he tries to push through his move to Barcelona.

Coutinho missed Friday night’s 2-1 win with a thigh issue described by his club as ‘minor’. He has not played for Liverpool this season while the transfer window is open.

Liverpool do not want Coutinho to go in this window and will continue to try to convince him to stay for as long as possible. Despite their efforts, it looks increasingly like they are fighting a losing battle.

The club has told the the 25-year-old it is better for all parties if he stays for the rest of the campaign, particularly as he is ineligible to play in the Champions League for the Spanish side.

Despite Barca’s willingness to pay an eye-watering £140 million, Liverpool do not want to cash in. They would even be willing take less cash this summer in order to retain him to achieve this season's ambitions.

They would also be prepared to agree a deal whereby he signs for Barcelona now and effectively stays at Anfield on loan for a few months, similar to that agreed with RB Leipzig for Naby Keita. Coutinho has even been offered a massive pay hike between now and May.

Despite all these options the player is adamant he wants to go now. The chance of facing Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League appears to have no influence.

That is not stopping Liverpool from continuing to try - in constant contact with the player and his representative. Liverpool are eager to ensure there is a professionalism to the discussions, acutely aware the player could eventually go public and appeal for the move as was the case in the summer.

Last August Coutinho handed in a transfer request, but that simply strengthened Liverpool’s resolve to protect the club’s interests. They just want the player back on the pitch as soon as possible. Recent history suggests it will be a surprise if he features this month even in the unlikely even of him staying, but since rejoining the side in September Coutinho has been magnificent.

Liverpool may calculate he would be the same in February, especially as he builds towards the World Cup. Liverpool are pursuing two trophies and have a realistic chance of finsihing at least second in the Premier League.

Despite claims Liverpool are actively working on recruiting a replacement in this window, that has not been the case at this stage. All their efforts are currently focusing on trying to convince the Brazilian to stay for what would be just four more months before realising his dream of joining Barcelona with the goodwill of everyone connected to Anfield. Barcelona are already easing towards the La Liga title.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will make no further comment on the allegations of a racial slur by striker Roberto Firmino directed at Mason Holgate in Friday’s 2-1 win.

The club will await further instruction from the Football Association, who are duty bound to investigate the claim since it is mentioned in the report of match official Bobby Madley.