Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde and Lionel Messi have held crunch face-to-face talks.

The meeting at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper was held this week where Valverde and Messi thrashed out several issues.

High on the agenda, says Diario Gol, was the status of Luis Suarez, who has disappointed Valverde so far this season.

Messi expressed his concerns to the coach about the way his good friend was being treated, but agreed with Valverde's worry regarding the striker's fitness and focus.

Valverde also told Messi he wanted him to play more centrally - as he did previously under Pep Guardiola. This, again, would have repercussions for Suarez and where he fits in the system.

The Uruguayan will have to accept playing on a flank, with Messi central as a false 9. The clear the air meeting further strengthened the pair's relationship, with preseason doubts over Valverde's hiring now a distant memory.

Barca are currently seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table.