Philippe Coutinho gives honest verdict on career after Liverpool - 'I just wasn't able'

Philippe Coutinho insists he has no regrets over his blockbuster move from to . The Brazilian playmaker left Anfield in January 2018 for a staggering £142m, but failed to hit the heights with the Catalans that he managed during an outstanding five-year spell at Anfield.

Reflecting on his time since leaving Merseyside, Coutinho, now 32, is honest, admits it didn't quite go to plan, but would do the same thing again. He says: "We had loads of conversations. At that time, I really wanted to move to Barcelona.

"We had many discussions about staying, about leaving. But, eventually, the club agreed to let me go and I joined Barcelona."

Coutinho initially thrived in Spain, making a solid impression and showing that he could potentially shine. But he was neither a player to play wide left in Barca's front three, nor to replace club legend Andres Iniesta, as had initially been envisioned. And before too long, the early promise had dissipated.

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"The beginning was really good. My first six months at Barcelona were great. We won a title and I was playing really well. But the following season, after the World Cup, I was not in the same shape. My performances dipped and that was tough for me. I wanted to meet expectations, my own expectations as well but I just wasn't able to.

"That period was really challenging for me but I leaned on my family and in my faith, I've always believed in God. That helped me stay strong through it all."

Although he clinched titles with Barcelona in 2017-18 and 2018-19, he was unwanted not long after and allowed to move on loan to . In Bavaria, he helped Bayern win the treble, even scoring twice in an 8-2 demolition of his parent club, but Bayern opted not to take up the option to sign him permanently. Coutinho's future became uncertain as both clubs opted not to retain him permanently.

After a serious knee injury caused more problems back at Camp Nou, an underwhelming spell at under , followed. Since then, the Brazilian playmaker has returned to his roots, back home with Vasco da Gama.

"I needed to change teams, right? I wasn't in Barcelona's plans anymore," he said. "I needed to play, right? And go to a club that wanted me.

"Well, it was mainly because of [Steven] Gerrard [that I joined Aston Villa]. He was the coach. I remember he called me on the phone and we talked and saw that there was this possibility to go there on loan. It was great to go there but things also didn't happen as we expected.

"I had this dream to play for Barcelona. Then the opportunity presented itself and I couldn't say 'No' to my dream.

"So, I have no regrets about everything I experienced, all the places I've been. I gave my all, was very professional and tried to do my best.

"It worked out well at some clubs, while not so much at others. But that's football. But I don't have any regrets, only thanks and gratitude for every club I've been at."

Coutinho will still have a year left on his Aston Villa deal after his loan at Vasco Da Gama ends this summer. He is very unlikely to have a future in the West Midlands.

At 32, Coutinho isn't looking towards retirement just yet, but he has got plans to be more involved with his foundation 'Instituto Philippe Coutinho'.

Reflecting on challenging times, especially during his injury, Coutinho shared his thoughts on Stories: "When you are in that moment, especially when I had my injury, you end up disbelieving certain things, you have doubts," adding thankfully he has bounced back without any lasting impact from surgery.

"I haven't really thought about what it will be like after I retire. I see myself here (at Instituto Philippe Coutinho), maybe working here with the children, alongside my brothers."

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