Liverpool will 'wave goodbye' to Philippe Coutinho next summer but John Aldridge is backing the Brazilian to deliver this season

  • Liverpool kept Philippe Coutinho out of Barcelona's clutches over the summer
  • Legend John Aldridge says the player will be on his way at the end of the season
  • However, Aldridge also backed Coutinho to deliver when he returns to the side

Philippe Coutinho will prove his worth for Liverpool this season before getting his big move to Barcelona next summer, according to club legend John Aldridge.

The Coutinho transfer saga shows no sign of abating. Over the weekend, Barcelona claimed and Liverpool denied that the English club offered to sell the player for €200million (£185m) on deadline day.

For his part Coutinho showed that his form has not been dimmed, scoring for Brazil in a 2-0 win over Ecuador.

Philippe Coutinho will prove his worth for Liverpool this season, says Red legend John Aldridge

Coutinho showed his form is undimmed by the transfer rumblings, performing well for Brazil

Coutinho showed his form is undimmed by the transfer rumblings, performing well for Brazil

Coutinho will be welcomed back into life as a Red by manager Jurgen Klopp, says Aldridge

Coutinho will be welcomed back into life as a Red by manager Jurgen Klopp, says Aldridge

It is the Brazilian's desire to play for his country that Aldridge is counting on for Coutinho to perform for Liverpool this season, surmising that in a World Cup year the midfielder will be keen to impress. But the Anfield legend is under no illusions over Coutinho's long-term future in Liverpool.


In his Liverpool Echo column, Aldridge wrote: 'Make no mistake, Coutinho will come back. He's a lovely fella, he's a good family man, and Barcelona turned his head. It can happen.

'The move over there didn't happen for him but I'm sure he'll give us a really good season and wave goodbye next summer, because Barca will come back for him, he's too good to be ignored.

Barcelona official Albert Soler (right) claimed the Reds offfered them Couintho for £185m

Barcelona official Albert Soler (right) claimed the Reds offfered them Couintho for £185m

'He's just got to stay in form for Liverpool, put all this behind him and play with pride in the shirt.

'Despite what happened, he won't down tools. The World Cup is coming up and he's a big part of that Brazil side, don't forget. He'll play well, hopefully score 12, 14 goals, bag a load of assists, the fans will applaud him and he'll go to Barca no problem.

'Liverpool are going to get a huge amount to reinvest into the team when he leaves, just like we did with Luis Suarez. Let's just enjoy him while he's here, and let's hope he can kick on even more.'