Barcelona star Coutinho trades emotional messages with former hero Steven Gerrard

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Barcelona signing Philippe Coutinho has traded heart-felt messages with former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard. 

 http://ochoochosoccer.blogspot.com.ng/2018/01/luis-suarez-welcomes-philippe-coutinho.html?m=1


The Brazilian secured his move to the Nou Camp for an impressive £145 million and Gerrard insisted he respected his decision, posting a message on Instagram declaring his admiration.

The 37-year-old admitted it was hard to see such a good player leave the club but insisted Liverpool could not stand in the way of his dream. Gerrard posted on Instagram: 'It hurts you have left because you are a special player, up there with the best I shared a pitch with.  'I want to wish you and your family all the best for the next stage of your career in Barcelona . Thank you for the special moments and memories over the last 5 years . YNWA.'

In response to Gerrard's message, Coutinho said: 'Steve, thanks so much for your kind words. It was an honour for me to play with such a legend as yourself. 'I learnt a lot from knowing you. Both off the pitch in my family life and also on the pitch.  'Thank you for all your support and encouragement in my years at Liverpool. Your belief in me helped me become a better player. I wish you and your family the best.' It hurts you have left because you are a special player , up there with the best I shared a pitch with .



I want to wish you @phil.coutinho and your family all the best for the next stage of your career in Barcelona . Thank you for the special moments and memories over the last 5 years . YNWA 

http://ochoochosoccer.blogspot.com.ng/2018/01/barcelona-welcome-philippe-coutinho.html?m=1

Gerrard had previously praised the forward whilst working as a pundit for BT Sport. He said: 'There's no doubt about it, Liverpool will miss him. He's a wonderful footballer, a great person and to be fair to him he hasn't downed tools at all. 'I respect his decision and wish him all the best. 'But Liverpool will go on. They've got big money for him and I'm sure they'll replace him with the right people.'

The £145milion fee makes Coutinho the second-most expensive player in the world, following Neymar's £198m record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. But Liverpool will not receive all of the £145m with Coutinho's former club Inter Milan set to earn a portion of the deal, albeit just 1.5 per cent.

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