COUTINHO

MY HEAD WAS TURNED BY BARCA.. MY HEART BELONGS TO THE KOP

PHILIPPE COUTINHO has promised Liverpool fans he will give everything to the cause despite his attempts to force his way out of Anfield.

The Brazil midfielder (left) put in a transfer request, and was rumoured to be ready to go on strike to ensure he got a dream move to Barcelona.

Some reports claimed

he would continue to refuse to play for Jurgen Klopp even after the transfer window closed.

But after his first start of the season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley, he said: “Liverpool is a great club worldwide. I’m here and I will give my best as always.”

He missed the opening three weeks with a back injury that cleared up as soon as he went away on international duty.

Coutinho, who admitted he was “interested” in and “honoured” by Barcelona’s attempts to sign him, assured the Reds and their fans he will do everything this campaign to deliver the trophies they crave.

He added: “I’m in a place I’ve always been, given respect by everyone and I too respect everyone. I have conquered my space in four, five years and never had any problems with anyone – the fans, the board, my teammates, the coaching staff.

“That’s not changed. As I have said, in life, in every job you get an offer, interested or not. It is all in the past.”

However, when speaking to ESPN Brazil he did not try to hide his desperation to join Barcelona, but he accepted it was not possible to move and will now attempt to rebuild bridges at Anfield.

He suggested there was no offer on the table from the Catalan club for January or next season. Asked if he will join his friend Luis Suarez (above) at the Nou Camp next year, he replied: “Not that I know of.

“What happened was a job offer and, in life, sometimes you get interested; sometimes you don’t and, in my case, everyone knows I got interested, my family too.

“But as I’ve always said, it is a great offer to receive an offer from such a great club like that. But it’s also a great honour being here.

“It was a complicated month for me. It’s an honour to receive that offer but it’s also an honour to wear this shirt, so what I can do is work hard and honour that on the field.

“It is all cool. I’m working hard, my thoughts are on the team’s goals, making a good season, with the national team too, doing my best to get there.”