Xavi: 'Philippe Coutinho would improve Barcelona'

Former Barcelona captain Xavi has called on the Spanish champions to move for Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, claiming that the Brazilian international 'would suit the club's philosophy'.

Coutinho, 24, has six goals and five assists in all competitions for Liverpool this term, and it has been reported that Barcelona will move for the playmaker at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

Xavi has said that "there are not many players that can improve Barcelona", but the 36-year-old believes that Coutinho is one of them.

"Coutinho is a player I have always thought is special - but under Klopp he has gone up another level. On form there are not any better midfield players in Europe," Xavi told Goal.com.

"He has always shown quality but now he is consistently playing well and that is good news for Liverpool if they want to really challenge for the title. He is playing under one of the most intelligent coaches in Europe. Klopp has a lot of experience at developing world-class players, so it is a good club for him to be at.

"There are not many players that can improve Barcelona, but if you are asking me if he is one of them, on this form, I think he is. Technically he is very good. He would suit Barcelona's philosophy well."

Coutinho joined Liverpool from Inter Milan in the summer of 2013.