Jordan Henderson makes blunt Philippe Coutinho admission - 'Jurgen would have preferred'

AFC Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson has admitted he is surprised at how Philippe Coutinho’s career has fared since leaving Liverpool.

The Brazilian left the Reds in a club-record £142m deal to join Barcelona in January 2018.

But while he initially impressed at Camp Nou, he was soon deemed surplus to requirements after a loss of form and struggles with injury.

The 32-year-old is now back playing in Brazil with Vasco Da Gama after stints with Bayern Munich, Aston Villa and Al-Duhail also did not live up to expectations.

Henderson admits Liverpool would have preferred to retain Coutinho, but believes it was the right move for the midfielder at the time.

However, he also shared his surprise at his former team-mate’s decline as he suggested the timing did not pay off for the Brazilian.

Henderson

“I think Jurgen (Klopp) would’ve preferred to keep him, he was such a big part of what we were trying to do at the time,”

“Which is why the transfer fee would have been so high

“In the end I think for him it was the right thing to do at that moment in time.

“Would I have expected more in terms of longevity and things like that? Maybe.

“If you look at Barcelona over that period of time, it’s been a big transition. Messi left and Iniesta left, maybe just the timing of Phil, when he went there, wasn’t the best.”

Meanwhile, Henderson defended the Brazilian, insisting he had a big influence on the Premier League as he highlighted Coutinho as one of his favourite team-mates.

Henderson said

“Obviously (when he) came from Inter Milan, you watch a little bit on the clips and stuff before you sign him and when you sign him,”

“He looked very skilful.

“It was just how he would adapt to the team, to the league. You could see he was hungry to show people what he could do.

I still think he had a big influence in the Premier League, definitely. Players that played against him will probably appreciate him even more.

“He played the game so beautifully. Around the box, cutting in on that right foot, he was probably the best I’ve seen.

“He was definitely one of my favourite players, for sure, to play with. And now still to watch him play in Brazil, he’s still doing things that I saw him do 10 years ago.

“I am very honoured and privileged to have been able to be part of his journey and play with him for as long as I did.”