Philippe Coutinho HAPPY Liverpool won Champions League because of three players - Mellor

PHILIPPE COUTINHO will be happy Liverpool won the Champions League trophy - despite ditching the Reds for Barcelona.

Champions League: Liverpool parade on open top bus in 2019

Those are the thoughts of former Liverpool and West Ham striker Neil Mellor.

Philippe Coutinho quit the Reds in January 2018 to join Barcelona for a fee of around £142million.

Since then Liverpool have reached two Champions League finals - triumphing in this year’s over Tottenham 2-0.

Liverpool beat Coutinho’s Barcelona in the semi-final in May, coming back from a 3-0 deficit from the first leg to win 4-3 on aggregate.

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I think he will be happy for Alison, Fabinho and his Brazilian compatriots

Neil Mellor on Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho

Mellor says Coutinho will not be happy with that result but pleased to see fellow Brazil internationals Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino succeed.

“That will be a question for him,” Mellor told americangambler.com when asked if Coutinho would be happy at Liverpool's victory.

“But I think he will be happy for Alison, Fabinho and his Brazilian compatriots but maybe not so happy that his side were knocked out in the semi-finals the way that they were.”

Coutinho has already been linked with a move away from Barcelona after struggling to nail down a starting spot.

Liverpool celebrating the Champions League

Philippe Coutinho will be happy for Liverpool's Brazilian stars, says Neil Mellor (Image: GETTY)

Brazil stars Philippe Coutinho and Alisson

Philippe Coutinho plays alongside Alisson, Fabinho and Firmino for Brazil (Image: GETTY)

Mellor says Liverpool’s performances since the forward’s exit show he is not missed at Anfield.

“I think Coutinho was a great player for Liverpool and I really did enjoy watching him,” he added.

“He had creative influence to make things happen and of course, I was disappointed when he left.

“Leaving for Barcelona for whatever reason, he hasn’t shown the same quality at Barcelona that he did at Liverpool.

Philippe Coutinho during Liverpool vs Barcelona

Barcelona suffered a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final (Image: GETTY)

Philippe Coutinho says he was 'very happy' at Liverpool

“One of the biggest compliments that you would give the current Liverpool side and Klopp, is that they didn’t really miss Coutinho.

“They went from competing for the top four to competing for a title without Couintho, and won the Champions League.

“He was a great player for Liverpool and loved watching him but he hasn’t been missed.”

Coutinho has scored 21 goals in his 75 appearances for Barcelona to date.

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