Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez can understand Philippe Coutinho wanting to leave Liverpool for Barcelona over the summer.

Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Sunday and Coutinho is likely to play a pivotal role if the Reds are to win.

Benitez said: "I understand when some players want to go when they get a big offer, but Coutinho is still in a very good team.

"I think he will be fine and he is scoring goals already.

“He was shy at Inter when I was there, but he had the potential and quality in training sessions and he is now a very good player because he has had the experience."