Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho left in 2018 for Barcelona.
Philippe Coutinho says he has no regrets following his high-profile move from Liverpool to Barcelona – despite injury problems hindering his career.
The former Reds playmaker made the £146million switch to the La Liga giants in 2018, where he won La Liga twice plus Spanish domestic success. Coutinho quickly established himself as a key player and a firm favourite at Anfield until his departure in 2018.
The Brazilian’s exit funded moves for Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker for Jurgen Klopp, with his side going on to taste domestic, European and global glory in the following years. Coutinho’s move came during a promising time for the Reds, in a period where the midfielder was one of their main sources of attacking output alongside Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
In the months leading up to his departure in January, Liverpool faced speculation over his future. There was interest in Coutinho but Klopp dismissed the reports, citing that the former Inter Milan talent was not for sale in the summer of 2017.
In 2017, Klopp warned: “Stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour. Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more.”
Coutinho’s career since leaving Liverpool has had some success but injuries have hampered his progress. He would leave the Nou Camp in 2022, following loan spells with Bayern Munich and Aston Villa, joining former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard at Villa Park on a permanent basis.
But his time in the Midlands came to an end after a year under Unai Emery and the 31-year-old now plies his trade in the Qatar Stars League with Al-Duhail, after signing on loan. Many have suggested that Klopp’s comments in 2017 have become more relevant as Coutinho’s struggles have continued but the Brazilian insists he has no regrets six years on from his Anfield exit.
“No,” Coutinho said. “At no time [does he have any regret]. Things did not turn out as I imagined, as people expected, as I expected because I am the first to demand of myself on the field, I tell myself that I have to give more on the field. I tried everything, I have always been very professional and I don’t regret anything.
“It was always my dream to play for Barca and I went there, I enjoyed it, I was able to meet many people, win titles and it will always be in the story of my life.
“Nothing. I would not change anything. Going back is impossible, but as I said I don’t regret anything, I always gave my best in training as I do here and as I did last year and as I will do next year. If things fit well, great and if not, patience.”
