Coutinho’s journey
Coutinho left Liverpool for Barcelona in 2018 and the time between the sale and his slight renaissance under Ronald Koeman feels a considerable amount of time longer than the two-plus years which have passed.
The Brazilian’s arrival at the Nou Camp was positive. 7 goals and 6 assists in 18 La Liga games displayed the reasons why the Blaugrana had paid so much. However, things soured relatively quickly.
The following season, Coutinho’s first full Spanish campaign brought with it just 5 goals and and 2 assists in the league. Emphasis on Ousmane Dembele with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi was preferred and a more industrious midfield left Coutinho searching for minutes.
After several links to both Arsenal and Spurs, Coutinho left the Nou Camp on a loan deal to German champions Bayern Munich. A bit-part player in Bavaria, the end to his time with Hansi Flick’s side was where his stock again rose.
A beneficiary of the fitness training in Munich, Coutinho’s physicality and from picked up and he even scored against his parent club twice in the Champions League quarter final.
Flashback to Coutinho embarrassing Barcelona while on loan at Bayern 🙈pic.twitter.com/STBfVKL0H2
— Goal (@goal) October 21, 2020
Since his return, Koeman has put renewed faith in the 28-year-old and despite Barca’s poor start to La Liga, Coutinho has continued to press on with his turnaround.
Liverpool return?
After the 4-0 victory over Osasuna, Coutinho spoke to Spanish media and teased a possible future return to Liverpool could be on the cards.
“The Premier League is one of the most exciting leagues in the world,” Coutinho said.
“Having the opportunity to play for a team like Liverpool will always be something for which I will be grateful. It is impossible to say what might or might not happen in the future. But right now my only goal is to be successful with Barcelona.”
Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna FT:
29’⚽ Braithwaite
42’⚽ Griezmann
57’⚽ Coutinho
73’⚽ MessiFour goals from four different goalscorers for Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/82NJzU5A6U
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) November 29, 2020
Coutinho scored in the win over the side which beat Barca 2-1 in the league last season as the Catalan club aim to chase down their rivals. Coutinho’s contract ends in 2023 after he signed a 5 year deal back in 2018 after his £142 million move.
Therefore any possible future sale before then would require a significant fee to steal him away from Catalonia.
