Coutinho bids farewell to Liverpool: 'I hope the supporters understand'

Philippe Coutinho insisted the opportunity to join Barcelona was too great to pass up, as the Brazilian star bid farewell to Liverpool.

Coutinho was officially unveiled as a Barcelona player Monday, just two days after Liverpool accepted the Catalan side's reported £142-million fee.

Shortly after getting paraded around the Camp Nou, Coutinho took to Instagram to say goodbye to Liverpool and clarify his motive for leaving after five years at Anfield:

I leave Liverpool because Barcelona is a dream for me. Liverpool was a dream that I was fortunate enough to realise and I have given five years of my life to it. A career on the pitch only lasts for so long and to play for Barcelona as well as Liverpool is something I want to experience and enjoy while I am blessed enough to be able to do so.

I hope the supporters understand that choosing to experience something new is not about diminishing their importance to me or the club’s importance. Nothing will ever diminish that in my heart.

Coutinho went on to wish the best of luck to manager Jurgen Klopp and his former teammates before bidding farewell to the Liverpool faithful:

And finally, 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.