Philippe Coutinho admits his love for Liverpool means he would take extra satisfaction from dumping Manchester United out of the Champions League as he looks to set up a “dream” return to Anfield.
The Brazilian attacker, who dismissed suggestions that he could leave Barcelona this summer, will face United in Wednesday's quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford.
Coutinho is unconcerned about the hot reception that awaits him and fellow former Red Luis Suarez, and he's on a mission to end United's hopes of glory.
“If they boo myself and Luis Suarez then that’s normal at Old Trafford because of the team we used to play for. But it won’t make any difference to me,” Coutinho told the Mirror.
“And, even more than that, it is an incentive to play better and to be even more focused.
“I know that games against Manchester United are special. I learned what they meant during my time at Liverpool when we lived it so intensely with the fans.
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“I have that nailed in my memory and, even though this is a different stage, if Barcelona knock United out of Europe, it will be a double personal satisfaction for me.”
If Barcelona beat United and Liverpool knock out Porto then the two European giants will meet in the semi-finals.
Coutinho , who joined Barca for £142million in January 2018, is desperate for that reunion to happen.
He retains a close affinity with the Reds and is relishing watching their thrilling Premier League title challenge.
“I know that Liverpool supporters will be with us at United,” he said.
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“But they know that later we could see them at Anfield and then, of course, I will be there with Barcelona wanting to win.
“It would be a dream to play at Anfield again, an explosion of different feelings, I’m sure. But I have to be honest and say I would have preferred to meet Liverpool only in the final itself.
“I’m glad that Liverpool are doing well this year. Jurgen Klopp is a great coach and it was only a matter of time before he got the team performing the way they are.
“They are having an incredible season. But so are we and I am focused first on Barcelona.”
Coutinho has been repeatedly linked with a return to the Premier League but he's adamant that he's going nowhere this summer.
"I’m happy. I wanted to play in Spain and I’m at the best club in Spain," he added.
"My head is exclusively in Barcelona. Returning to England now does not fit into my plans.”
