Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has broken his silence over his failed summer move to Barcelona, admitting he was definitely interested in moving to the Nou Camp.
The Brazilian attacker was targeted by the Catalan giants after they sold his compatriot Neymar to PSG for a world record fee of almost £200 million.
But despite Coutinho being more than keen to head to Catalonia, Liverpool steadfastly refused to sell, even with Barcelona reportedly offering a whopping £135 million.
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Reports had claimed that Coutinho had been left devastated at the collapse of his move to Barcelona. Image: PA
Coutinho made his first start for the Reds since the drama unfolded yesterday against Burnley and speaking to ESPN Brazil, via Sky Sports, he said: "It was a complicated month for me but as I have said, it is an honour to receive that offer but it is also an honour to wear this [Liverpool] shirt, so what I can do is work hard and honour that on the field. It is all cool.
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"What happened was a job offer and, in life, sometimes you get interested.
"Sometimes you don't and, in my case, everyone knows that I got interested, my family too.
"But as I have always said, it is a great offer to receive an offer from such a great club like that. But it is also a great honour being here. Liverpool is a great club worldwide.
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"I'm here and I will give my best as always. I'm working hard, my thoughts are on the team's goals, making a good season."
Coutinho has become one of Liverpool's most important players over the last two seasons, hence the club's reluctance to entertain offers for him, this summer. Image: PA
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Coutinho signed a five-year contract at Anfield only in January, in a deal thought to make him the club's highest-paid player, and he was given a warm reception by Liverpool supporters yesterday afternoon.
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Topics: Football, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool FC
