Former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has given a reason why he thinks Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona did not go to plan.
Liverpool managed to bank £142million for the Brazilian playmaker when he signed for Barcelona in January 2018. The Reds used that money wisely to help build a squad that would go on to be crowned English, European and World champions.
But Coutinho's struggled at Barcelona and after a spell on loan at Bayern Munich, where he did win the Champions League, he is now back playing in the Premier League until the end of the season with Aston Villa.
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In his three months at Villa Park, the 29-year-old has four goals and three assists in 13 appearances to his name. However, he is without a goal contribution in his last five outings.
Rodgers was Liverpool manager when they signed Coutinho in 2013 from Inter Milan in an £8.5m deal. And the now-Leicester City boss has opened up on why he thinks the Brazil international has struggled ever since he made the permanent move away from Anfield.
“I am so happy to see him in the Premier League. When I took him to the Premier League, everyone questioned his physicality,” Rodgers told The Mirror . “As a young player coming through I saw him at Inter to know he had the personality and physicality to cope.
“He came in and was amazing for me at Liverpool. In my time he went on and earned them an incredible amount of money. He went to a place I thought was assured for him to show his talent. But it also shows you it is all about [the] environment.
“Philippe was loved at Liverpool and was in a great environment, with the players, the club and the supporters. He was able to showcase those skills. Since he went to Barcelona, it never really happened for him there for one reason or another.
“I know he needs to feel love and be in a place where he is given the confidence. Just to see him back in the Premier League playing again adds to the environment as well.
“I think the Premier League is made for him. He is a more experienced player now and it is just the game-time for him. He is a special talent, always was and still is. He is a player who is at a world-class level.
“Some of his actions I have seen with Aston Villa and some of his passing and how he sees the game, is amazing. He is such a great guy as well. He has the ability to make a pass and can shoot with quality from 30 yards in.”
