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Players come and go, that is football.

But recent history has proven that the grass isn’t always greener for those who seek new pastures, especially in Liverpool’s case.

During the last decade, we have seen Liverpool players such as Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can fail to replicate the form they showed in a Liverpool shirt, for another club.

But one player’s story is sadder than most.

Philippe Coutinho departed Liverpool in the winter of 2018 for Barcelona for a club-record sale of £142m.

Arguably the best creative midfielder on the planet at the time, it was seen as a huge loss for Liverpool, and a sign of real intent from the Catalans.

However, Coutinho struggled to adjust to life in Spain as he never really settled into the team, and after several failed loan moves, he now finds himself seeing out his career in Brazil.

Former Reds captain Jordan Henderson has opened up on his surprise that Coutinho didn’t go on to be a superstar for Barcelona.

Speaking to Premier League Stories, he said:

“I think for him it was the right thing to do at that moment in time.

Messi left and Iniesta left, maybe just the timing of Phil, when he went there, wasn’t the best.”

Henderson did go on to defend Coutinho, insisting that he was one of the best he’s ever played with.

“He played the game so beautifully.

Around the box, cutting in on that right foot, he was probably the best I’ve seen.”

“He was definitely one of my favourite players, for sure, to play with.

And now still to watch him play in Brazil, he’s still doing things that I saw him do 10 years ago.”

The sale of Phillipe Coutinho gave Liverpool the financial freedom to sign Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, two signings who have proved to be nothing short of sensational since arriving at Anfield.

When one door closes, another door opens, that is the game we are in.

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