Philippe Coutinho has hinted he will not make a return to Liverpool the future, despite recent reports suggesting Jurgen Klopp had explored the idea.
Coutinho swapped Liverpool for Barcelona two winters ago in a transfer worth an initial £105m, but struggled to make an impression at the Nou Camp and moved on loan to Bayern Munich in the summer, where he has flourished for the Bundesliga champions.
Asked whether he has any regrets over leaving Liverpool, who won the Champions League last season and are on the verge of Premier League glory for the first time in 30 years, Coutinho told Sports Illustrated: “Liverpool are flying, and it doesn’t surprise me. We’ve seen it already last year when they won the Champions League, but I’m also not surprised because of their fantastic squad and manager.
“I am so happy for them, because I have so many friends there, former teammates – so I’m just so happy for them – but that’s all. I don’t look back. I took another path, and now I am on another journey, much like everyone else. I’m focused entirely – just like them – on reaching my dreams. I’m happy with what I did in the past, and now I can only look forward.”
Bayern, who will play Chelsea in the upcoming Champions League round of 16, are currently top of the Bundesliga by a point from RB Leipzig, and Coutinho revealed his admiration for the German top flight, comparing its competitiveness and high tempo to the Premier League.
“In the last few months, I have realised more that the Bundesliga is a very balanced league, everyone wants to win–it’s hard to win here,” the Brazilian said. “It’s ... similar to [the] Premier League in the sense that it’s intense and physical. There’s no time to think. It’s fast, hard on the pitch–much like in England. But it’s also technically good with an intense desire to play the game.”
