Philippe Coutinho returns to Liverpool

Coutinho had shone at Anfield [Photo: Courtesy]

When Philippe Coutinho returns to Anfield with Brazil on Sunday afternoon, the question of forgiveness is one that will spring to the forefront of the minds of those in attendance.

There is an alternate reality which greets Anfield tomorrow, one in which it is a home for discontent, disgruntlement and discord, reports the Liverpool Echo.

That alternate reality sees Liverpool not having enjoyed those nights against Manchester City and Roma, and without Champions League football next season.

But even after the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, Liverpool is a club in the ascendency. The mood is buoyant, the supporters believe.

But he couldn't resist the allure of Barcelona [Photo: Courtesy]

But all of this started with a gamble. It is one which could have backfired, but paid off spectacularly, to the eternal credit of Jurgen Klopp and his playing staff.

With Liverpool anticipating another month of speculation over the future of Coutinho, and with Barcelona primed for another long-running saga, Klopp sanctioned the sale.

Explaining his decision following the Brazilian's £142million departure, he said: “That was a decision I had to make: does it make sense, do I think I can still use him, can he help us still?

“To be honest, it was 100% clear no chance. It was clear he was not ready to do that anymore.

Klopp did all he could to keep Coutinho at the club [Photo: Courtesy]

“It was not that we had a talk and he said my head is somewhere else; it was just clear after we spoke that it would not work out. We had a lot of talks about different things, how we can do this or that, but if somebody denies things like that then it is clear the decision is done.

“At some point you need to accept it and that is what we did.”

Some supporters didn't accept it; an understandable response. After recovering from his ailments at the start of the season, Coutinho led the beat of the 'Fab Four', scoring 12 goals in 20 games, including a hat trick in the Champions League.

It may have ended on a sour note [Photo: Courtesy]

To sell him at a pivotal point of the campaign seemed a strange decision, particularly after strengthening the side earlier that week with the club record buy of Virgil van Dijk.

Klopp, perhaps inadvertently, hinted at a similar situation developing to the one which happened in August. Coutinho's season would not start until September, 13 days after the transfer window closed and his written request to move to Camp Nou failed to secure his exit.

But for so long Coutinho thrilled at Anfield [Photo: Courtesy]

His back injury, which was said to be legitimate, still elicited suspicion. Few have recovered from such public disrespect of Liverpool when it comes to the support, but few captivated as much as the Brazilian.

Much like Luis Suarez before him, Coutinho was forgiven, and then adored once more. He supplied the front line of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. It was a quartet capable of unforeseen heights.

But what of Coutinho when he returns to Anfield for Brazil, against Croatia, this afternoon? The possibility of boos is a live one, so much so Kenny Dalglish urged fans not to partake in it.

“I would hope that, if there are people there who are Liverpool fans, they would give Coutinho a good reception,” he said.

Coutinho returns to Anfield to face Croatia [Photo: Courtesy]

It will be far easier to be magnanimous in victory, which is what Liverpool have enjoyed. Granted, they lost a fantastic player, one who has started to shine for Barcelona. But with that, they have found a winning formula, one which needs just a few more tweaks to be serious contenders both home and abroad in the coming seasons.

The £142million helps, too. If Nabil Fekir arrives for the £62million Lyon are thought to be asking for – nowhere near guaranteed, of course – then the arrivals of Naby Keita, Fabinho and the French playmaker will cost around £10million more than Coutinho's fee. That would essentially be a whole new midfield.

What sort of reception will he receive? [Photo: Courtesy]

There might still be a few cat-calls, perhaps tongue-in-cheek more than anything. There might also be a few cheers, recognition of a memorable five-year service from their old no.10.

He might not be forgiven, but perhaps it has been forgotten.

It's easier to sing when you're winning, and Liverpool have been the undoubted winners of that particular transfer tug-of-war.