Gerrard reacts to Coutinho’s move to Barcelona

Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard, has said that he respects Philippe Coutinho’s decision to leave the club.

Coutinho completed his big money move to Barcelona on Monday.

Although the transfer fee was not confirmed publicly, it is believed it would reach £142million (€160m), with Liverpool receiving £105m (€120m) up front and the rest in performance-related add-ons.

“I’m still digesting it as a Liverpool fan,” Gerrard told BT Sport.

“I’m not surprised by it. I know Liverpool have done everything they can to keep him and they fought very hard to keep him until the summer.

“But when a kid’s got a dream, a South American, that he wants to play for Barcelona and he thinks this is the only opportunity he’s going to get, then it’s very difficult to stop it.

“There’s no doubt about it, Liverpool will miss him. He’s a wonderful footballer, a great person and to be fair to him he hasn’t downed tools at all. I respect his decision and wish him all the best.

“Liverpool will go on. They’ve got big money for him and I’m sure they’ll replace him with the right people.”