After a summer-long pursuit, six days is all Barcelona required in the New Year to finally get their man.
Philippe Coutinho has joined the Catalan giants after Liverpool agreed to sell at £142million.
The 25-year-old was unveiled as a Blaugrana player on Monday although his debut will be some three weeks away as he recovers from a thigh injury.
In a transfer of such magnitude there are numerous winners and losers and so we take a look at three of each.
WINNERS
Jurgen Klopp
Bare with me on this.
It’s been noted the German ultimately had the final say on whether Coutinho remained or not.
Given the trust bestowed by club’s owners and supporters, leaving such a sanction to Klopp would make complete sense because there is no one better positioned to make the decision.
While Coutinho is a supremely gifted footballer and one statistically so important to the Reds, the contextual element of keeping a player against his will could be far more damaging than letting him leave.
The Reds require momentum to ensure Champions League football is secured for next season and avoiding negativity both inside and outside the club is crucial.
Ultimately, he has to manage the team and the dressing room, any imbalance could knock Liverpool off their stride.
Don’t forget, the Reds boss has previous for letting stars leave, think Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich, and there should be no confusion that a quality player isn’t necessarily an indispensable one.
No Klopp strop: The German boss with Coutinho
Josep Maria Bartomeu
A summer backlash from members of the board, supporters and even players left the Barcelona president in an uneasy position.
A failed move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti was damaging, Neymar’s exit to the Parisians proved disastrous while question marks over Lionel Messi’s contract extension disturbed and the initial moves for Coutinho were denied.
But with Barca sitting atop La Liga, Messi’s new deal confirmed and Coutinho signed, the situation is looking decidedly more rosy for Bartomeu.
The club’s lack of success in the market hit the team hard with many said to have felt cheated by Bartomeu’s regime.
Completing the signature of their No1 target, regardless of the exponential fee involved, is a significant statement.
Job well done: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu
Lionel Messi
Few were as hurt by the exit of Neymar more than Messi. A perfect partner on the pitch and a close friend away from it, the South American duo alongside Luis Suarez formed the most deadly attacking trio in history.
Replacing him was always going to be an impossible task and predictably the creative burden has fallen squarely on Messi.
Granted, he’s not just shouldered the pressure but embraced it also but with Coutinho almost certainly set for a role in midfield, the extra creative avenue will enable the Argentine to attack in deeper in the opposition box.
The passing chain of command will see a spine of Sergio Busquets-Coutinho-Messi and that will give not just Barca added support, but the main man Messi, too.
New partner in crime: Lionel Messi
LOSERS
Andres Iniesta
In the short term an aging player will be afforded rest in the league to challenge in Europe allowing Coutinho the rest of the campaign to settle in at the club pressure free.
Beyond that, Iniesta’s days are numbered.
There can be no doubt the Brazilian is his heir apparent despite all proclamations he is happy to play anywhere.
For all his quality, the 33-year-old Iniesta has started to tire and ushering in a new era with Coutinho will see the Spaniard pushed out the first-team fold.
Ernesto Valverde’s variety means he can rotate between three or four roles in the middle and front line for now, but it will be fascinating to see when fit where Coutinho starts for the Catalan giants.
Days are numbered: Andres Iniesta
Roberto Firmino
From super suave Samba moves for goal celebrations to matching bright white teeth, Coutinho and Firmino’s on-pitch chemistry hallmarked a squad lacking talent in the aftermath of the 2013/14 season.
Together day in and day out, their friendship away from the pitch more than assisted their understanding on it.
For an attacker, Coutinho’s incredible passing ability is a gift and the telepathy between the two allowed for a free-flowing and dynamic Liverpool attack.
No player in the current Reds fold will feel Coutinho’s exit more than his Brazilian counterpart.
Breaking up: Firmino and Coutinho
Liverpool supporters
No individual player or manager will be more gutted than the collective Anfield support, however.
While the manner of how maneuvered his dream move will have infuriated the masses, it can’t tarnish the otherworldly displays he produced.
During a talent-downturn after the 2013/14 title challenging squad was dismantled, Coutinho was the sole player exhibiting world-class ability.
His thunderous long-range strikes and wizardry with the ball at his feet will be sorely missed.
Gone but not forgotten: A fan holds up a placard
