Philippe Coutinho addresses Liverpool supporters in statement about decision to join Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho has released a lengthy statement on why he decided to swap Anfield for the Camp Nou.

On Monday, Coutinho's £142 million move to Barcelona was confirmed, bringing an end to a year of speculation and months of negotiation. The former Liverpool playmaker won't be available to make his Barca debut until the end of the month due to the thigh injury which kept him out of recent games for the Reds. Expected to wear the No. 14 shirt, Coutinho has claimed that it has always been a dream for him to play for Barcelona and while his decision to move at the midway point of the season has been criticised by certain fans, perhaps some will forgive him when they read his impassioned farewell post. https://www.instagram.com/p/BdtIUUxhPQE/?hl=en&taken-by=phil.coutinho After wishing Reds boss Jurgen Klopp well and thanking the staff at his now-former club, Coutinho reserved special praise for the supporters who made him feel at home since he arrived on Merseyside in 2013. He wrote: "To the most important people of Liverpool - the Liverpool supporters. I can never thank you enough for what you have given me during this time and no matter where I go in the world, for the rest of my life, I will always cherish Liverpool in my heart. "You, the club and the city will always be a part of me. You’ll Never Walk Alone."