Friday 24 March 2017 16:16, UK
Luis Garcia believes Philippe Coutinho is the ideal successor to Andres Iniesta at Barcelona, but has urged the forward to remain at Liverpool for the time being.
Coutinho recently penned an extension to his contract at Anfield, committing his future to the Reds until the summer of 2022.
Despite this, and Jurgen Kopp's insistence that Coutinho is not for sale, speculation linking the Brazil international with a move to Catalonia has continued.
The Spanish champions are keen to have a contingency plan in place for when 32-year-old Iniesta brings the curtain down on his trophy-laden career.
Former Barca and Liverpool star Garcia believes Coutinho has the quality to fill the void Iniesta will eventually leave.
However, with plenty left in the Spaniard's tank, the 2005 Champions League winner would like to see Coutinho remain on Merseyside.
"Coutinho is a very important player for Liverpool," Garcia told talkSPORT.
"As a former player from both teams and the love I have for both of them, I would like to see Coutinho for a few more years in a red shirt.
"Coutinho is still a very young player and Iniesta is maybe going to be in the first team for two of three more years.
"With the quality and technique that Coutinho has got it would be a brilliant time for the team [for him to join]."
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