The dressing room taking care of Philippe Coutinho

It was the 80th minute of the game between Barca and Rayo (3-1) when the No 7 of Philippe Coutinho went u on the board, with Ivan Rakitic coming on. There was applause and whistles.

A mix of opinions for the club’s most expensive signing. A year after he came from Liverpool for 160m euros, the Brazilian has not taken off.

Signed in the winter window last season to replace Andres Iniesta, Valverde saw in Coutinho a playmaker with goals and the ability to unpick defences, virtues which he has not been able to show this season.

Against Rayo he joined Suarez and Messi in attack, in the second half he was an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1.

In neither version did he shine. He only threatened in the first half with a shot which Dimitrievski saved easily.

Coutinho has not impressed in front of goal this season, scoring eight in 39 games, two less than he managed in 22 matches last season.

The Brazilian only has four in 25 in La Liga. Last time he scored in the top flight was the 5-1 win over Real Madrid in October.

Beyond that, there are worrying sensations. The Brazilian has lost out to Dembele for a starting spot, as we saw in the two Clasicos at the Bernabeu.

Conscious he’s not going through his best moment, Valverde and the other first team Barca players backed Coutinho after the whistles at Camp Nou.

"Philippe is having a good season," said Pique. ”Obviously, he cost a lot and that means there are higher expectations surrounding his performances. It is what it is. You have to accept the reaction of the fans because at the end of the day they're our supporters, you have to respect [their opinion]. We, his teammates and people at the club, have to give him all the support in the world. We need him at his best in the final stage of the season and I'm sure he will be."

Valverde backed him the same way. "We're at a club where there's an incredible demand to win. That's the case at all clubs, but especially here.

"We don't have to give [the whistles] too much importance. He was fighting all game to score. We're always hoping our players are going to pull a rabbit out of the hat, but it's not always the case.

"Sometimes things come off, sometimes they don't. But his work rate is there to be seen for everyone. The secret is in persevering."

While Barca fans are getting impatient, the dressing room is backing him, with the Lyon clash on Wednesday a new chance to be reborn.

Dembele finished the game against Rayo feeling a hamstring problem and he’s a serious doubt for the game. Camp Nou is hoping for signs of life from Coutinho in a crucial clash.