Philippe Coutinho once “served a purpose at Liverpool and was a great player”, says Jason McAteer, but that is considered to no longer be the case amid talk of a possible return to Anfield for the Brazilian.
It was made clear to those on Merseyside heading towards the winter transfer window of 2018 that the South American playmaker wanted to fulfil a boyhood dream of representing Barcelona.
His wish was eventually granted, with a big-money deal taking Coutinho to Camp Nou after five years in England.
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The funds generated from that sale have helped to turn Liverpool into Champions League winners and runaway Premier League leaders, with the absence of a once talismanic figure barely being felt.