Star Klopp called ‘world-class’ was open to Liverpool move joins PL rival

Follow us on Google Discover

Philippe Coutinho has reunited with Steven Gerrard after joining Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona, but he was open to returning to Liverpool if the Reds had pursued a transfer.

That’s according to Sky Sports, who report the Anfield natives did not target a deal for the Brazilian this month. Coutinho left Merseyside for Catalunya four-years ago, but is now back in England in a bid to revive his career.

The midfielder underwent his medical on Tuesday and will spend the rest of the season at Villa Park. The Villans’ deal also includes a £33m option to purchase the 29-year-old in the summer. He has even agreed to take a pay cut to move to the West Midlands from Spain.

Aston Villa will cover 50% of Coutinho’s wage plus bonuses, while the former Liverpool ace has lowered his base salary. Rival suitors had also offered the Barcelona loanee 100% of his Camp Nou wage, but he focused on a Premier League return and a chance to play regularly.

Coutinho has featured 16 times so far this season across all competitions, but only started five games for Barcelona. He has also only averaged 38-minutes per appearance, and has offered just two goals without any assists so far.

Coutinho was open to Liverpool return from Barcelona before Aston Villa transfer

Joining Aston Villa in a loan transfer from Barcelona will see Coutinho play under his former Liverpool teammate Gerrard. But he was open to returning to Anfield and reuniting with Jurgen Klopp before accepting the Villans’ offer.

However, the Reds did not actively pursue a deal, four-years after selling Coutinho for an initial £105m rising to £142m. Coutinho offered seven goals and six assists in his final 14 Premier League outings. He also struck seven goals and six assists in his first 18 in La Liga.

Coutinho never managed to match or better his initial output with the Blaugrana and only played more games in 2018/19. He featured 34 times in his first full season for five goals and two assists before joining Bayern Munich on loan.

Liverpool manager Klopp still spoke with vivid praise for Coutinho when the Brazilian joined Bayern from Barcelona. But the German did not eye a rival deal to Gerrard and Aston Villa.

“Amazing player, we really didn’t want to let him go. Barca forced us financially,” Klopp told Sport Bild, via quotes by the Mirror, in 2019. “World-class player.”