Barcelona take on Manchester United in the Champions League this week – the club Phil Coutinho has been linked with of late.
The little Brazilian has spoken out about how much it’d mean to him to dump United out of Europe’s elite competition and reunite with Liverpool in the semi-final.
Coutinho isn’t bothered about any reception that he may face at Old Trafford; it’s likely he and Luis Suarez will be made to feel unwelcome in Manchester.
“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,” he 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.”
Coutinho has explained how Liverpool fans will be on their side as Barca take on United – and he’s spot on.
As much as the Mancs would make for easier opposition in a potential semi-final with us, it’s unlikely many Reds will want them to progress.
“I know that Liverpool supporters will be with us at United,” Coutinho said. “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.”
Even though Barca are flying high at the minute – we don’t fear anyone, Phil! Bring it on!