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The message from Philippe Coutinho's camp was crystal clear.

Asked about a potential Premier League return for the Barcelona misfit, Coutinho's agent, Kia Joorabchian, slung a forearm straight into the court of his client's former employers.

"It would be very difficult for Philippe to play for any of Liverpool ’s rivals, because he has such a great affinity towards Liverpool," said Joorabchian.

"His time there was fantastic."

The future of the Brazil international has become a saga in its own right this summer transfer window, despite the absence of an obvious interest from any one particular club, not least of all, Liverpool.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Coutinho , who left the club for Barca in January 2018 for £142million, continues to be linked alongside Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and, of course, the Reds, with none of the trio giving a clear indication they want the attacking midfielder in their ranks.

Joorabchian, speaking on talkSPORT , was determined to get the message out that his client would relish a move before the August 8 transfer deadline.

"Manchester United is a great club, I have players there and I have all the respect for them, but as far as Philippe goes it would be an extremely difficult to a near-impossible move," he said.

"Like all big players at some point, you want to experience a different thing in your career because your career is very short, but [his Anfield exit] has no reflection on the fact his heart and affinity is very much with Liverpool.

"Obviously if he were to move back [to the Premier League], it would have to be Liverpool, but at the moment I think it would be difficult and it would be up to them."

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The idea that Coutinho's "heart and affinity is very much with Liverpool" may ring true to a degree, but there are many who still remember the Brazil international engineering an Anfield exit in the winter of 2018.

While his team-mates were slugging it out in an FA Cup clash against Everton on January 5 that year, Coutinho was watching on from a hotel as he put the finishing touches on his blockbuster move.

As Virgil van Dijk made himself an instant hero against the Reds' fierce local rivals, Coutinho was later being snapped on board a private jet, setting scenes akin to a glossy magazine shoot as his Liverpool career frittered into its final hours.

It was a Barcelona charm offensive and a damage limitation exercise, put together from a string PR staff to minimise anger from a fanbase who had worshipped him for five years.

(Image: Colin Lane)

To some, those images still stick and there are plenty who remember the saga of six months earlier when a transfer request was handed in on the eve of a new Premier League season.

To others, it's forgiven if not forgotten and many would have no hesitation in welcoming back the prodigal son with open arms at Anfield.

As the Reds head into the new season as European champions however, the question must be asked - do they need him?

The bewitchingly brilliant Coutinho is yet to be replaced at Anfield - like-for-like, at least - with the Reds' £50million move for Nabil Fekir dramatically falling through at the 11th hour in June last year.

Since then, the Reds haven't come close to snaring a big-money replacement capable of shouldering the creative burden in the final third. A No.10, in short.

Whether through cerebral design, happy accident or a potent blend of both, Jurgen Klopp has tweaked things to make sure the Reds haven't suffered the loss of their most technically-gifted attacker.

(Image: Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images)

In contrast, Liverpool's ascent has been sharp since Coutinho traded Merseyside for La Rambla over 18 months ago.

Back-to-back Champions League final appearances, a 97-point Premier League campaign and a sixth European Cup have all been written into the history books since Coutinho became a Blaugrana.

Liverpool's tactical shift now sees the supply line come from the full-back areas, with the Reds' engine room tasked with more workmanlike duties to ensure Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson thrive out wide.

The two defenders' creative license saw them finish the campaign with a combined 23 assists, with Alexander-Arnold taking the title for most-ever in a Premier League season for a full-back with 12.

The lack of an obvious No.10 - a role Coutinho would argue is his preferred position - means the workload has shifted at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are entrusted to load the bullets for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino more than the three-man midfield.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The likes of Fabinho, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and co are asked to sweep up, thwart attacks and feed the ball to a devastating front three who have blasted in 160 goals between them over the last two seasons.

It effectively means the Brazil international's favoured role is redundant in a system that has been perfectly tuned to deliver maximum results.

Essentially, he would have to adapt to survive with the Reds, with no guarantee he would dislodge Mane wide left of a front three.

Alternatively, Klopp would have to alter a successful system and winning formula to accommodate Coutinho. That is something that comes with its own inherent risks, despite the capabilities of the player coming in.

Coutinho's ability to conjure up moments of magic from very little meant there was, at times, an over-reliance on him when the tide was turning on Liverpool .

“What a football player he is, and he will be such a good player for Barcelona as well, but for us in a few games, like Tottenham away, he was not always in the best shape," said Klopp shortly after the sale of the Reds' No.10.

"It was kind of a solution for us to give him the ball. No. We don’t have to look for that. It can make us more unpredictable if we don’t."

Liverpool were forcibly made to confront this issue after his exit and it is something they have expertly overcome since the unwanted prospect of losing Coutinho was thrust in their direction.

In 2019, with Liverpool firmly cemented as one of the world's best teams, the need for Coutinho's particular brand of brilliance is not in demand at the home of the European champions .

A potential return would merely add another string to the bow for Liverpool's impressive armoury. But is that enough at such a high price?