So, here we are ladies and gentlemen!
One of the most anticipated and impending transfer officially took place yesterday when FC Barcelona revealed that Liverpool’s playmaker Philippe Coutinho has joined them for a club record fee. Coutinho’s transfer saga has been going on since the last window, as the Brazilian has been quite adamant to complete his switch to the Blaugrana.
Apparently, last summer, Coutinho had submitted a transfer request to the club’s owners and hence had made his intentions clear. Naturally, a move away from Merseyside was quite expected but the fact that it happened in January has surely raised some eyebrows.
Coutinho will be unable to play in the Champions League for Barcelona as he has already represented Liverpool in that competition. The Brazilian’s transfer is an after effect of Neymar’s move to PSG in the summer.
The departure of Neymar had left a huge void in Barcelona’s squad and Ernesto Valverde, along with the club’s board tried their best to land the former Inter Milan man at Camp Nou. However, Liverpool did not budge and Jurgen Klopp maintained it time and again that Coutinho was not for sale.
Money was a crucial factor in the deal too, as the Reds had already rejected four bids for their playmaker. The player attracted a lot of attention by making his intentions known to all. He was excited about the prospect of playing with players such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Coutinho has always been touted as the potential successor to Andres Iniesta. At the age of 25, he certainly does seem to have the potential and talent to make these predictions turn true.
The transfer to Barcelona now makes Philippe Coutinho the second most expensive player of all time. The deal has cost Barcelona a mighty 142 million euros with substantial add-ons regarding certain achievements.
Above everything else, the deal comes as a great sense of relief to Barcelona, after their failure in the transfer window last time around. Let us see how Twitter reacted to the major move yesterday:
Let us start with the fans who were unhappy with Coutinho’s decision…You may ask why? Well, Torres, Suarez, now Coutinho…they deserve to be disgruntled, eh!?
I understand Coutinho’s ambition to move to a club like Barcelona, but for him to leave half way through the season, when so much is at stake isn’t the most respectful way to treat the club that made you the player you are. #lfc #Coutinho
— Jurgen Klopp (@ItsJurgenKlopp) January 6, 2018
Don’t care who you are or how good you are… no one is bigger than our club. Don’t wanna be here, there’s the door. Glad we’ve got a manager who thinks the same way. Should’ve left on good terms in summer. Leaves now & can’t play Champions League football. Silly. #LFC #Coutinho
— Dan Roach (@DanielRoachLFC) January 6, 2018
Well, the past does come back to haunt you. So, some fans were kind enough to remind Coutinho of his words when he signed a contract extension for Liverpool.
Anyone remember this? This interview is now iconic. #Coutinho pic.twitter.com/FisAuBLPEe
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) January 6, 2018
Liverpool will now have to undergo the test of Champions League football sans the little magician. However, quite a few people have kept their hopes high. Yeah, you are right. They have more faith on their team than even Jurgen Klopp!
Thanks for the goals #Coutinho
But it’s a selfish time to be goin”
So I hope we lift the Champions League
And you look as stupid as Owen….#LFC
— David Kidd (@davidpkidd) January 6, 2018
Remember when I said that this transfer saga has been going on for far too long? Well, here’s the pictorial description to prove my point…
Well thank god that’s over… #Coutinho pic.twitter.com/8eRdR1HuVH
— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) January 6, 2018
Some people really took offence. Trust me, THEY REALLY DID
That took long ?? #Coutinhopic.twitter.com/WfoPKr2Kq1
— IDontLikeSpurs (@IDontLikeSpurs) January 6, 2018
Brazilian players have not always had a great time in the EPL. However, Coutinho was an exception. The other player was…
Hey there @Phil_Coutinho – this is how a real Brazilian legend leaves the premier league #Coutinho #LFC #anderrrrrrsonsonson pic.twitter.com/v9KM0Zqf4z
— Ji Sung Park (@RealParkJiSung) January 7, 2018
How must Jurgen Klopp be feeling after letting go of his most talented player? Here’s a glimpse.
#Coutinho to Barcelona done deal! Scenes outside camp nou. ?? pic.twitter.com/4VluN7XnKe
— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) January 6, 2018
Overall, it was just the instinctive reaction of fans who are disheartened to see probably their best player leave the club. However, Coutinho had always wanted this deal to take place and still did not compromise on his professionalism by delivering excellent performances for Liverpool in the first half of the season.
We wish the player and Barcelona good luck going ahead. Well for Liverpool, they have the cash to enjoy!
Southampton seeing Liverpool with £145m….#LFC #SaintsFC #Coutinho pic.twitter.com/wNIv8UwYIH
— NextGame Club (@NextGameClub) January 6, 2018