Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has revealed he would like to see Philippe Coutinho return to Anfield - and believes the Reds might already have a clause in place to bring the playmaker back to Merseyside.
The Brazil international has spent the past 18 months with Barcelona but has struggled to find consistency in Catalonia, with his role in the side limited.
Despite winning La Liga in both seasons in Spain, the 26-year-old was jeered by fans in Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Getafe as he was singled out following two anonymous displays against Liverpool in the Reds' astonishing comeback victory in the Champions League semi-finals.
Signed with the intention of replacing club legend Andres Iniesta in midfield, Thompson has claimed Coutinho is not loved by the La Liga champions like he was at Anfield.
And having failed to cement his place in Barcelona's starting XI, the former Liverpool assistant manager has urged Jurgen Klopp to re-sign the playmaker, hinting the Reds might already have a clause in place to bring the Brazilian back to the club.
“I would take him back in a heartbeat but it would have to be now, you don’t want to leave it another 12 months. I think he still has the ability,” he told Sky Sports.
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“He’s suffered at Barcelona, you’ve seen in the two games (against Liverpool), playing out wide on the left - he’s not Neymar.
“He likes to be in the middle where he can pull the strings and where he’s getting on the ball, to hurt teams. He doesn’t do that at Barcelona, he’s not a left-winger.
“They don’t love him like Liverpool loved him. He was the clever one, the one who could offer that little bit of creativity in games where you knew you were going to have the majority of possession.
“I would have him back. I don’t know about the football club but he is that one with that ability.
“Our club is very shrewd. Maybe there is a buyback clause for less than half of what they signed him for!”
