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Jurgen Klopp's Words To Philippe Coutinho Before Barcelona Move Have Come True

Jurgen Klopp's Words To Philippe Coutinho Before Barcelona Move Have Come True

The former Liverpool midfielder has been linked with a move away from Barcelona as the club reportedly chase a reunion with Neymar.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Philippe Coutinho's transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona took a long time to finally go through but maybe the midfielder is regretting it now. Jurgen Klopp kind of predicted that would be the case.

I remember the Philippe Coutinho transfer saga well, mainly because it haunts my dreams. The Brazilian's move from Liverpool to Barcelona took so long that it went through an entire transfer window, out the other side, and then to the beginning of the next one.

At one point Coutinho was going to be the saviour for the La Liga team as they attempted to keep hold of Neymar from PSG's clutches.

When that didn't help the most expensive player in the world's fellow Brazilian suddenly became the man who could replace him in Barcelona's team.

Ironically there are now rumours that the Catalan side could look to sell the former Inter Milan midfielder as they attempt to make room in their squad, and money, in order re-sign Neymar.

Life for Coutinho in La Liga hasn't been awful but it's far from how life was for him at Anfield and, via the Independent, Jurgen Klopp rather predicted that would happen. Back in May 2017 Klopp said:

"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."

Maybe Coutinho should have stayed in Liverpool. Image: PA Images
Maybe Coutinho should have stayed in Liverpool. Image: PA Images

This season the 26 year old has only started nine La Liga games for the table toppers, scoring four goals and getting one assist, and has come off the bench a further seven times.

Whilst Barca are looking good for another league title it is hardly with too much input from Coutinho, he's nowhere near hero status.

Had he stayed at Liverpool there's a very good chance he'd be helping to lead their charge on a first Premier League title, every one of that squad will be heroes if they go on to win it.

Could a Neymar reunion be the end for Coutinho at the Camp Nou? Image: PA Images
Could a Neymar reunion be the end for Coutinho at the Camp Nou? Image: PA Images

Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are the two men most likely to be under pressure should there be any return for Neymar but Dembele is currently the man in possession of a place in the first XI.

There's still a lot of things to fall in place for a return for the former Barca player but it could mean Coutinho looking for a new club and Klopp looking to be very right with his prediction.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Barcelona, Transfer stories, PSG, Philippe Coutinho, Neymar, Transfer rumours, Jurgen Klopp, Transfer news, Spanish football, La Liga

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28