Philippe Coutinho's summer transfer saga left many players feeling caught in the middle, report the Liverpool Echo.
The Brazil international submitted a transfer request and urged the Reds to sell him, but they refused to do business and snubbed a final offer of £118million from the Catalan giants.
Gini Wijnaldum says when Coutinho returned to Jurgen Klopp’s squad after the window shut he didn’t have any explaining to do in the dressing room because his team-mates understood the lure of the Camp Nou.
“It was difficult,” Wijnaldum told the ECHO.
“Phil is a really good person and we understood why he wanted to make the move.
“He’s someone who has always given everything for Liverpool. He has done a great job fighting for Liverpool.
“On one side we would have been happy for him if he could have gone as he really wanted to make the move, but on the other side as team-mates you want him to stay because you know with Phil because we’ll be better.
“There were two thoughts in your head. You can see it from both sides. Someone was going to be disappointed at the end of the transfer window and it was Phil.”
The importance of keeping hold of Coutinho, who penned a new five-year contract back in January, was underlined with his immense contribution to last weekend’s win at Leicester City and the midweek Champions League draw with Spartak Moscow.
“Phil didn’t just show it in these two games, but throughout last season he showed what a top player he is,” he added.
“He’s an important player who can win games for us and make the team better. It was normal that the club tried so hard to keep him.
“You never know what will happen in the future. But Phil is a good person and no matter how long he’s here, I know he will always give everything for Liverpool. We’re so happy that he stayed.”