Liverpool news and transfer rumours: Philippe Coutinho told to snub Barcelona by former Brazil star

PLUS: Ilkay Gundogan opens up about his future AND Raheem Sterling's agent Aidy Ward has had a lot more to say on his client's acrimonious departure from Anfield

Speculation: Coutinho has recently been linked with Barcelona

Here are all the latest Reds stories from today's Daily Mirror and other news outlets...

Coutinho advice

World Cup-winning Brazil legend Lucio has told Philippe Coutinho to snub the advances of Barcelona and stay at Liverpool.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Nou Camp following a fine 18 months with the Reds.
"If it was my decision, I would stay. If I was Coutinho, I would not leave Liverpool," Lucio told IBTimes UK.

Reuters / Phil Noble

"Don't go": Lucio wants to see Coutinho stay at Liverpool

"Barcelona have several star players like [Lionel] Messi, [Luis] Suarez and Neymar.
"If Coutinho joins Barcelona, he has to play wherever the coach wants him to play, which would be to fill in here and there."

Gundogan update

Ilkay Gundogan doesn't want to leave Borussia Dortmund, putting an end to speculation he is keen on a reunion with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
He told reporters: "This is an issue that is always floating around.

Matthias Hangst

Happy: Gundogan is content at Dortmund

"I am very happy with BVB and feel very comfortable here. Of course, I can imagine remaining here beyond the end of the season."

Sterling should still be at Anfield, says agent

Raheem Sterling 's agent says Liverpool were "sly" and "underhanded" in the way they dealt with the England youngster - and insists he should still be playing for the Reds.

Sterling's reluctance to extend his contract with the Reds was a hot topic throughout the entirety of last campaign and he eventually signed for Manchester City for £50m in the summer.

Departed: Raheem Sterling left Liverpool to join Manchester City

"Raheem could've stayed, he should be at Liverpool," Ward told the Daily Mail.

"Then there was an underhandedness, there were sly remarks. In press conferences, Brendan told everyone Raheem would sign - why do that? I knew, Brendan knew and Liverpool knew there was an issue. Right now he probably should be a Liverpool player, but he's not and he's in a great place at City."

Ward: Sterling would've thrived under Klopp

It would've been "a dream come true" for Raheem Sterling to play under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, the England star's agent has said.
The German replaced Brendan Rodgers in the Anfield dugout after the Northern Irishman was sacked earlier this month.
"The new Liverpool manager probably would have been a great fit for Raheem - passionate, disciplined in the right way, new ideas, not afraid of trying new things," Ward told the Daily Mail. "He'll do great at Liverpool.

Perfect fit... but Klopp came too late to convince Sterling to stay

"Would Raheem under Klopp have been a good scenario? Yes, 100 per cent, definitely, mainly because of the person Klopp is - the passion, the drive, the emotion, wanting to achieve.
"Raheem has all of this, but you won't always see it outwardly. Working with Klopp - that could have been great. He's going to get the best out of those players. It could have been a dream come true."

Klopp considering Markovic recall

Jurgen Klopp is considering recalling Lazar Markovic from his loan spell at Fenerbahce.
Brendan Rodgers offloaded Markovic to Turkey for this campaign because the £20million attacker was a flop last season.
Liverpool have the option to cut short Markovic's loan in January and Klopp is assessing the Serbian international.

John Powell/Liverpool FC

Coming back? Markovic (left) could be brought back to Liverpool in January

He has done well for Fenerbahce and returned from a three-week injury lay-off in their win over Kayserispor at the weekend.
Markovic, 21, joined Fenerbahce to get game time and boost his confidence and Reds boss Klopp believes he may improve his attacking options.

Gomez undergoes surgery

Joe Gomez underwent surgery in London on Tuesday on the cruciate ligament injury which has ended his season.
The 18-year-old travelled down to the capital to go under the knife before embarking on a gruelling nine-month rehab programme, report the Liverpool Echo.
Gomez suffered the injury in the closing stages of England U21s’ 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan at last week.

John Powell

Under the knife: Joe Gomez has undergone surgery

Liverpool team-mate Danny Ings, who damaged the ACL in his left knee less than 24 hours later during a training session at Melwood, also had surgery yesterday.
The former Burnley striker’s comeback date will be earlier than Gomez’s because Ings only suffered a partial tear.

Cisse retires

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has announced his retirement from football – a week after being arrested as part of a blackmail plot, writes MirrorFootball's Neil McLeman.
Cisse spent 12 hours in custody before being cleared of any involvement in an attempt to extort money from his former Marseille team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Laurence Griffiths

Hanging his boots up: Djibril Cisse has retired from football

The ex-France striker, who started this season playing in the Reunion Islands, has now declared he will undergo hip surgery in January and give up the game.
The 34-year-old said: “You have to listen to your body – it is finished, yes. I can no longer play football at a high level. You have to know when to turn the page.”