“It was a complicated month for me.”
Liverpool fans were delighted to see Philippe Coutinho make his return for Liverpool as the Brazilian played 78 minutes in the ‘Pool’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
After struggling with an alleged back injury, Coutinho missed the first six games of the season for Liverpool but he made his Anfield return against Sean Dyche’s men.
After the game, the playmaker was speaking with ESPN Brazil about his ongoing transfer saga with Barcelona. Over the summer, the Catalans lodged three bids for the gifted attacker but they were all rebuffed.
“The whole world knows what happened. From the first moment I played here and in the last game, I was very well received — like I always have been for the past four or five years. The respect I have for them [the fans] and the respect they have for me appears to be maintained.
“What I need to do is to work hard and to always do my best to help the team. I received a job offer, like in life whatever work you do. Sometimes you’re interested and sometimes you’re not. In this case, like you all know, I was interested. My family too.”
Despite the interest from Barca, the Brazilian insists that his focus is solely on Liverpool and the national team.
“But it’s like I always said… it’s a great honour to receive an offer for a great club like that. But it’s also a great honour to be here. Liverpool is a great club. I’m here and I’m going to give it my best as always. It was a complicated month for me, but like I said I’m here now. It’s an honour to receive an offer like that, but it’s also an honour to be here.
“I’ve never had any problems with anyone here. I’ve always respected the support very much of the groups. The players, the directors, the technical staff. And that hasn’t changed at all. Like I said, whatever job offers you get, some interest you and others don’t.”
With games against Leicester City, Spartak Moscow, Newcastle United and Manchester United to come in the next few weeks, Liverpool fans will be hoping that Coutinho is back to his brilliant best and it’s clear that the Brazilian is prepared to knuckle down and help his side.
“No. It’s all done now. I have to work. I’m focused on working hard and to have a good year if possible. In the end, I have to help my team,” he said.
