There was a spell of Barcelona absolutely tearing apart the Levante backline just after Lionel Messi scored. That's gone now and their build up play is now slow and a bit disjointed.

Fair play to Levante, they are giving it a go and are not far off equalising when Ivi Lopez's low strike is pushed behind by Marc-Andre ter Stergen.

John McEnerney: Coutinho is the long term replacement for the giant that is Iniesta, no chance. He’ll cover AI for the rest of the season to free up Iniesta for the CL cos La Liga is more or less sewn up. He’s a good player but he’ll never come close 2 Iniesta one of the all time greats!

Barcelona are all over Levante now after a slow start and the visiting keeper has to be alert to block Luis Suarez's strike from point-blank range.

It's like rousing a sleeping lion. Barcelona are in full flight now.

Lionel Messi is playing in his 400th game today. Just the 364 goals in his previous 399. Will he add to that tally today?

Image source, .

But when Barcelona do attack, they win a free-kick and Levante have a player booked.

Jefferson Lerma slides in late on Lionel Messi as the forward attempts to charge away down the right and is shown the yellow card.

Messi takes the free-kick... and it's just wide.

Slow start to 2018 in La Liga for Barcelona. They haven't even managed to get into the Levane final third yet.

Instead it is the visitors who are doing all the attacking, Cheick Doukoure causing the Barcelona backline a few early problems with his movement.

Half a chance early doors for the visitors as a cross comes in for Emmanuel Boateng. The striker's first touch is a bit heavy but he does manage to win a corner. Comes to nothing, though.

Right, let's crack on with some football chat.

Barcelona's first game at the Nou Camp in 2018 is under way.

Alexis Sanchez to Liverpool?

You can read more about what Liverpool could do next in the post-Philippe Coutinho era here.

So where do you think Philippe Coutinho will play in this Barcelona team? Do they actually even need him?

And Liverpool fans, how would you like to see the £142m spent replacing Coutinho?

Let us know via #bbceurofooty

Andy West
Spanish football writer

Barcelona have never made a secret of the fact that Coutinho is their number one target to provide more creative flair to their midfield, with the Brazilian earmarked as the long-term replacement for club captain Andres Iniesta, who will be 34 by the end of the season.

And the importance of Iniesta explains why Barca have been so determined to complete the deal now, rather than waiting until the summer.

With La Liga effectively already won, the Catalan club are now turning their main focus onto regaining the Champions League crown, and Iniesta will be vital to that quest.

Even Lionel Messi can't do everything by himself, and the presence of a fit and healthy Iniesta will make a major difference in giving Barca the best possible chance of breaking down the continent's best defences.

The arrival of Coutinho, therefore, means that Iniesta can be safely rested for league games without the team suffering a significant drop-off in quality, allowing the ageing skipper to reserve his energies for the European stage.

Tactically, Coutinho's biggest challenge will be learning how to combine effectively with Messi and help create space for the Argentine - around whom everything revolves - rather than getting in his way.

Barcelona fans, this is what you have to look forward to...

So where does Philippe Coutinho fit into the Barcelona team? Could he form a new 'Fab Four' alongside Ousmane Dembele, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez?

Or is he being brought in now to start the process of him ultimately succeeding Andres Iniesta?

Image source, Getty Images

The Barcelona team is out and the big news is that Ousmane Dembele starts for the first time in La Liga since September after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Let's be honest, it's not a bad team, and they will soon have Philippe Coutinho to try and slot in somewhere.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Alba; Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta; Dembele, Suarez, Messi

Levante XI: Oier; Moore, Postigo, Cabaco, Luna; Lerma, Doukouré, Lukic; Ivi, Boateng, Jason

There were suggestions that Philippe Coutinho would be paraded around the Nou Camp today but reports, external in Spain today suggest that has now been scrapped.

Instead the Brazilian will stay away from the club until tomorrow, when he is due to have a medical.

It's all about the three points for Barcelona today.

Image source, Getty Images

FINALLY the deal is as good as done. Philippe Coutinho is a Barcelona player.

It was a transfer saga that rumbled on and on but now Liverpool and Barcelona can move on while we look forward to seeing just how the Brazilian playmaker will fit in alongside Lionel Messi and company.

Coutinho can't play today, however, so Barcelona will just have to try and make do with the £1bn* worth of attacking talent they have at their disposal as they look to strengthen their place at the top of La Liga this afternoon.

It's a tough life.

*not exact figure