Jurgen Klopp warning still haunts Philippe Coutinho as ex-Liverpool star confirms latest exit

Philippe Coutinho has confirmed his exit from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, with the former Liverpool star having struggled ever since he ignored Jurgen Klopp's advice

Jurgen Klopp warned Philippe Coutinho against leaving Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

With every transfer that goes wrong, Philippe Coutinho must wish he’d taken Jurgen Klopp up on his advice back at Liverpool.

The Brazilian finds himself looking for yet another team after terminating his contract at boyhood club Vasco da Gama. Coutinho confirmed his decision to leave the Rio de Janeiro side with an emotional statement this week, after reports indicated he had surprised the club’s president with the request.

The 33-year-old only joined Vasco permanently last summer, having spent time on loan from Aston Villa the previous season. Like many of his moves following his exit from Liverpool, his time back in Brazil has not gone according to plan.

Coutinho left Anfield in January 2018 to join Barcelona in a $193 million (£143M) deal, despite Klopp having warned him against the move.

"Stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honor," Klopp famously said.

"Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more."

Philippe Coutinho left Liverpool for Barcelona in 2018

Coutinho though decided not to heed his manager’s advice, and although he has since insisted he doesn’t regret doing so, he must also be wondering what could have been after his latest exit.

He struggled after making the move to the Camp Nou, and amid a negative reaction from supporters, he joined on Bayern on loan just a year later.

Coutinho would go on to help the German side knock Barcelona out of the Champions League on the way to being crowned European champions in 2020, although the forward would continue to struggle in his career, eventually joining Villa on loan in 2022 before making the move permanent.

After seeing former teammate Steven Gerrard fired as manager, he soon fell out of favor at Villa Park, and joined Qatari side Al-Duhail on loan in 2023 before returning home to Vasco da Gama a year later.

He’d turn his loan to Rio permanent during the most recent summer transfer window, but just over half-a-year later, he now finds himself looking for yet another club.

"I chose to return to Vasco because I love this club,” Coutinho wrote in a statement. “I love everything Vasco represents in my life. Wearing this shirt was one of the most important choices I've ever made. And, in every training session, in every game, I gave my best. Always! There was never a lack of dedication, never a lack of will and commitment.

Philippe Coutinho is leaving Vasco da Gama just over six months after completing a permanent move back to Brazil(Image: Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

"Being judged by countless people for something that isn't part of my character is extremely difficult. I would never disrespect the fans, my teammates, or Vasco. I've never done that anywhere I've been. Anyone who knows me knows that.

"At that moment, on my way to the locker room, I felt and realized that my time at the club was over, and I didn't return to prioritize my mental health. That hurts a lot.

"The truth is, I'm very mentally exhausted. I've always been very reserved, so saying this here isn't easy, but I need to be honest

"My relationship with Vasco is one of love. And it will continue to be forever. With a heavy heart, I understand that now is the time to take a step back and end this chapter at Vasco.”