Liverpool chairman Tom Werner believes Phillipe Coutinho “probably regrets” deciding to leave Liverpool .
The Brazilian superstar was at the centre of a drawn out transfer saga before departing Anfield for Barcelona last January in a £105m transfer.
Coutinho has failed to impress at the Nou Camp sparking rumours he could be shipped out this summer and Chelsea have been linked with handing him a Premier League return if they avoid a transfer ban.
Coutinho’s hopes of saving his Barcelona career were dented on his Anfield return in April as Liverpool stunned the Catalan club in the Champions League semi-finals.
And Werner believes Coutinho’s story can be used as proof that top players should buy into their vision to establish themselves as an elite club once again.
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“I would just point to the story of Philippe Coutinho,” Werner told the Liverpool Echo .
“I have only good things to say about Philippe. But I think he left Liverpool because he wanted to play for one of the two big Spanish clubs.
“We tried to convince him that we had the club moving in the right direction and that he could experience big Champions League occasions by staying at Liverpool. I think he probably regrets his decision.”
Werner and Anfield chiefs spent the Coutinho cash wisely, splashing out on Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to help transform Jurgen Klopp’s side.
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They fell agonisingly short of the Premier League title and will look to go one better in the Champions League in the final against Spurs in Madrid on Saturday.
Coutinho, meanwhile, looks set to be the victim of a Barcelona purge after flattering to deceive, although his huge wages could mean his opportunities to move elsewhere are limited.
A move to Chelsea to replace Eden Hazard would depend on whether they are able to successfully appeal against their transfer ban.
