According to a recent report by Spanish publication, Sport (via the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror), Liverpool are weighing up a move to reacquire Phillipe Coutinho from Barcelona this summer. The same source has revealed that the Reds are open to the possibility of re-signing their former player who was a favourite among the club’s supporters during his time at Anfield.
In an interview mentioned by the Sun last week before Brazil’s match against Paraguay in the Copa America, Coutinho shed some light on his situation at Barca and said, “‘I have a contract with Barcelona.
“It was always my will to succeed in this club, but now I am totally concentrated here (with Brazil) and about the future (with Barca) we do not know what will happen.
“Many things that come out in the media are simply not true but as for my future, we do not know what is going to happen, that is the truth.
“Honestly, it wasn’t a good season. It didn’t produce what I wanted, it didn’t go as I hoped.
“But I hope it serves me as an example, as a lesson so that I want more, concentrate even more to be able to succeed.”
Coutinho’s Frustrating Yet Fruitful Season At The Nou Camp
There is no hiding from the fact that the Brazilian midfielder has failed to live up to the high expectations surrounding his £145m move to the Nou Camp at the start of 2018. On the other hand, Liverpool have invested the money generated from Coutinho’s sale wisely to become the reigning champions of Europe.
Despite struggling at times during the previous campaign, Coutinho has still managed to win trophies with the Catalan giants. The Rio de Janeiro born talent made 54 appearances for Ernesto Valverde’s side last season, scoring 11 goals while grabbing five assists in all competitions. The 27-year-old has also been an integral member for Brazil, having registered 16 goals in 51 international matches for them so far.
Do The Reds Need To Bring Back Their Former Star?
Coutinho will bring back the X-factor to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield which struggled to create too many opportunities in the opposition half last season. The draws against West Ham United and Leicester City towards the latter stages of the previous campaign cost the Reds their first Premier League title.
Thus, bringing the Brazilian playmaker back to Anfield could help the Merseyside club get one step closer to the league title next season. He is one of the best facilitators in European football due to his incredible vision and weight of pass in the final third.
Coutinho’s Acquisition: A Bold Decision By Klopp?
There is no doubt that it will be a bold decision by Klopp if he decided to re-sign Coutinho this summer. At the same time, it will be a move that might be welcomed by the Kopites around the world as the Brazilian winger has already proven his worth at the red half of Merseyside before. However, the price has to make sense. Liverpool cannot afford to pay anywhere close to the £145m that was paid to them by Barcelona. Maybe somewhere close to £85m makes sense.
