Careers have tended to go downhill for players leaving Liverpool during the Jurgen Klopp era.
Over the years, Liverpool have become fairly adept at realising when it’s time to let a player leave the club.
The likes of Gini Wijnaldum, to give one example, have found the going tough after leaving the comfort blanket of Anfield.
Others’ fates have followed a similar pattern. Just look at Sadio Mane. Undoubtedly a Liverpool legend for what he achieved with the club, but left for Bayern Munich and immediately looked a spent force.
Few can claim to have summed this phenomenon up quite like Philippe Coutinho, though. And the former Liverpool No.10 now looks set for the next chapter of a turbulent few years.
Philippe Coutinho ready for Aston Villa exit
Coutinho was a superb little player for Liverpool. Before the Klopp era truly got into full swing, the Brazilian was the shining light. At the time he left, Coutinho was a big star. You don’t join Barcelona for over £120m if that isn’t the case.
Although it was a lot of money, the move looked like being mutually beneficial for Liverpool, Barcelona and Coutinho himself.
The Reds signed Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk with the proceeds, Barca got one of the world’s top players and Coutinho got his dream club.
As it panned out though, it became clear that Liverpool were the only real winners. He did win trophies after arriving at Barca – and going on-loan to Bayern – but from a personal point of view Coutinho was a failure.
READ MORE: Dominic Solanke explains why Philippe Coutinho was the best he played with at Liverpool
His career looked to have been given a lifeline in 2022 when he arrived back in the Premier League with Aston Villa. However, when Steven Gerrard left things turned sour. Coutinho moved on-loan to Qatari side Al Duhail at the start of the season.
Now back at Villa, Give Me Sport report that things aren’t about to get much better for the 32-year-old. They claim that Coutinho is in discussions with the Villains to cancel his contract, which still has two years to run.
Manager Unai Emery has reportedly given ‘no indication’ that he sees the Brazil international as part of his plans for next season. As a result, Villa are said to be ‘seriously considering’ finding a mutual agreement to part ways.
The situation is described as being ‘complex’ but there is reportedly an understanding that a contract cancellation would be best for all parties. Should that come about, Coutinho is claimed to be ready to accept a move back to boyhood club Vasco da Gama.
Philippe Coutinho set for Vasco da Gama return
Coutinho’s story serves as a cautionary tale for any footballer who believes the grass to be greener.
Had the former Inter Milan player never have left Liverpool, maybe we’d have never seen Alisson and Van Dijk grace Anfield, although we think FSG would have invested in the squad anyway.
Pretending for a moment that Liverpool could have had all three, Coutinho surely would have been front and central to something special under Klopp.
As it was, he pushed to leave and became just another washed up footballer.
Now embroiled in a messy dispute with Villa, Coutinho probably can’t wait to get back home to Vasco, where it all began.
Only just 32, the little magician should still have a year or two left at the top. Instead, his career in Europe is about to come to a premature end.