Philippe Coutinho is demanding an explanation from Barcelona management over the way he's been treated by coach Ernesto Valverde.

Cadena Cope says after finding himself sidelined by Valverde, Coutinho has had his agents go to the board for reasons why he is out of the team.

Indeed, Coutinho has found Ousmane Dembele now preferred to him by the coach.

Even after scoring in last night's Copa del Rey defeat at Levante, former Liverpool star Coutinho was criticised by Valverde.

"When I wasn't playing Dembele everyone asked about him," Valverde said after the game.

"Now he plays and Coutinho doesn't and it is the other way around.

"The players have to work to turn things around.

"He is not happy, he has to fight, but one or the other almost always plays and Coutinho gives us a lot and will give us a lot."