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Liverpool players, former and present, react to Philippe Coutinho’s departure

Barcelona signed the Brazilian for a mammoth fee of €160 million on Monday.

Liverpool players, former and present, react to Philippe Coutinho’s departure

Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho (Photo: AFP)

Philippe Coutinho on Monday was officially revealed as a Barcelona’s most expensive signing of all-time and while Liverpool fans were indignant at the way the Brazilian pushed for a move, most of his former teammates were quick to pay tribute to the fleet-footed midfielder.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who was at the club in a playing capacity when Coutinho joined in 2013 and is currently managing the U-18 side, was effusive in his praise:

 

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, who has been in sensational form this season, had this to say on the twinkle-toed midfielder:

 

Current Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson admitted he would miss the Brazilian but wished him well as he posted:

 

Reds centre-back Dejan Lovren’s touching post was well-received by his followers:

 

And lastly, but certainly not the least, former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, expressed his delight at reuniting with his former colleague at Barcelona:

 

Coutinho’s €160 million move was the culmination of a saga that started in the summer of 2017, when Barcelona saw several offers fail to dislodge Liverpool’s no-sale policy.

The Brazilian midfielder, who had arrived at Anfield for a relative bargain price of £8.3 million in January 2013, had his head turned by the Catalan giants’ pursuit but the Reds stood firm and managed to keep the Brazilian beyond the transfer deadline.

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To his credit, the Brazilian put all the drama behind him and scored some sensational goals as Liverpool’s free-flowing attack wowed all an sundry.

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However, as the winter transfer window neared, reports of Barcelona renewing their pursuit of Coutinho resurfaced and while Liverpool initially held out, they were forced to relent due to the mammoth fee offered by the La Liga side and the fact that Coutinho himself was desperate to move.

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