Philippe Coutinho reveals whether he has regrets over Barcelona move

Philippe Coutinho has no regrets over his Liverpool exit, insisting he would change nothing about his decision to join Barcelona. 

On paper the Brazilian had a decent spell at Camp Nou, playing his part in two LaLiga title wins and earning a Copa del Rey into the bargain. 

He also won the Champions League while on loan at Bayern Munich from Barca, even scoring twice against his own employers in the quarter-finals. 

But it was broadly a damaging spell for Coutinho, who despite being just three days older than former teammate Mohamed Salah, has seen his star has fallen to the extent that he now finds himself on loan at Al-Duhail in the Qatar Stars League. 

He was shipped out of Aston Villa last summer, who he joined initially on loan from Barcelona, before that move became permanent under former Reds teammate Steven Gerrard in 2022.

Coutinho was warned against leaving Liverpool for Barca by manager Jurgen Klopp, who declared that he would eventually have a statue built in his honour on Merseyside if he stuck around. 

An initial fee of £105m was nonetheless agreed between the two clubs, eventually rising to £142m, but Coutinho never came close to justifying that figure for a crisis-hit Catalan club. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, famously reinvested the Coutinho money on the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, instigating a spree of success which included the 2019 Champions League and a first top-flight title in 30 years. 

Coutinho 'wouldn't change anything'

Coutinho was asked by Catalan daily, Sport, whether he had any regrets about moving to Barca and missing out on Liverpool’s run of trophies. 

“No. At no time," he said.

“Things did not turn out as I imagined, as people expected, as I expected because I am the first to demand of myself on the field, I tell myself that I have to give more on the field. I tried everything, I have always been very professional and I don’t regret anything. 

“It was always my dream to play for Barça and I went there, I enjoyed it, I was able to meet many people, win titles and it will always be in the story of my life.”

Asked if he would change anything about his Barca experience, he added:  “Nothing. I would not change anything. 

“Going back is impossible, but as I said I don’t regret anything, I always gave my best in training as I do here and as I did last year and as I will do next year. If things fit well, great and if not, patience.”

On whether he ought to have had a 'better' career, the Brazilian playmaker replied:

“No. I am satisfied with my career. Many people think whether it is good or bad, but I am satisfied with myself, I know what I represent, what I can do, I know who I am and this is the most important thing for me.”