Philippe Coutinho’s £142 million move to Barcelona is officially  complete and he departs the club having scored 54 memorable goals.

Coutinho developed a reputation for scoring long-range piledrivers during his stay in England, which is further demonstrated by the fact that since his arrival in the Premier League, he scored more goals from outside the area than any other player(19).

Here is a look back at some of his best:

Manchester City- April 2014:

This goal was undoubtedly the most crucial in this list.

With the scores tied at 2-2 in a game that was almost sure to be the title decider, Vincent Kompany sliced his attempted clearance straight into the path of the former Inter Milan midfielder, who accepted this gift with open arms to restore Liverpool’s advantage and raise the roof.

Brendan Rodgers’ men title charge was placed back on track with this impromptu no-look finish.

Bolton Wanderers- February 2015 :

A place in the FA Cup fifth- round awaited either Liverpool or Bolton as the two sides battled it out at the Macron Stadium.

The match was heading for extra time with the scores tied at 1-1. Coutinho then took matters into his own hands and single- handedly dragged the Reds through.

His goal from long distance crashed onto the bar before bouncing in, and this was now becoming an all too familiar sight for Reds fans.

Southampton- February 2015:

Quite arguably the pick of the bunch.

With no options seeming available, as Coutinho stood with the ball at his feet in midfield, he weighed up his options and rocketed home a fine effort.

Similarly to his Bolton goal, his shot smacked the top of the crossbar before bouncing down and in over the line.

Fraser Forster made an attempt to prevent the ball from flying in the top left corner, though, he was left clutching thin air as he crashed to the ground.

Manchester City- March 2015:

A second Man City masterpiece in the list from Coutinho.

Jordan Henderson had scored a Coutinho- esque goal earlier on in this contest to open the scoring in the match, with an arrowing effort which sailed past Joe Hart.

City responded through Edin Dzeko shortly after this, and with 15 minutes to play; Coutinho conjured up one of his trademark thunderbolts.

The Brazilian shifted the ball on to his favoured right foot, dropped his shoulder and let loose. The ball swerved into the top right of the goal and Hart was beaten again.

It was almost as if time stood still as the ball was struck.

Stoke- August 2015:

Coutinho kickstarted Liverpool’s 2015/16 season in supreme fashion, with a curling 30-yard effort which flew into the roof of the net past the hopeless Jack Butland.

The game at the Bet 365 Stadium was entering its final moments and looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw; that was until the samba star had other ideas.

Manchester United- March 2016:

Not all of Coutinho’s goals were thunderous howitzers from outside the area, as he showed in Liverpool’s Europa League Round of 16 clash against Manchester United.

Guillermo Valera was left flat-footed by the tricky footwork of Coutinho, who brushed the Uruguayan aside, before beautifully finishing the move with a deft finish over the head of David de Gea.

This goal all but secured the Reds’ progression into the next round of the competition.

Arsenal- August 2016:

This was the first goal in what turned out to be a seven-goal thriller on the opening day of last season at the Emirates Stadium.

Coutinho beat Premier League veteran Petr Cech from distance with what was an unstoppable free kick that drifted into the top left corner. Cech rose and fell, only able to watch the ball nestle in the upper echelons of the goal.

A set-piece of the highest calibre.

Everton- April 2017:

In last season’s Merseyside Derby at Anfield, Coutinho embarrassed Everton’s defence with a mazy run, which he concluded with a finessed shot to leave Joel Robles rooted to the spot.

Coutinho had skipped past Mathew Pennington and Idrissa Gueye before shaping up to shoot. His finish was sublime and it was Derby day delight for the Reds.

Leicester- September 2017:

This was one the Brazilians first games back in action this campaign, following his speculation filled summer which saw him left out of the squad for the first few games.

He marked his return in fine fashion, with another free kick masterclass- similar to that of his Arsenal goal.

Brighton- December 2017:

Coolness personified.

Brighton had obviously been watching Liverpool’s star man and knew the problems he can cause from a dead ball situation. So with five men packed in the Seagulls’ wall, it seemed as if they had scuppered any plans of another goal to Coutinho’s ever-growing collection.

As the wall leapt in the air,  the ball slid beneath their legs and  trickled into the bottom corner.

It’s an act very few would even dare to try, and the fact that this was the second time( West Ham, February 2016) the Liverpool man had pulled this off made it that bit more impressive.

Swansea- December 2017 :

Coutinho’s farewell goal.

Just as he began his Liverpool career- with a goal against Swansea in a 5-0 win- he bid farewell in the same manner.

His first-time venomous strike found the back of the net on his 200th appearance for the club.

This is the final time Reds fans will see ‘The Magician’ conjure up a moment of class in Red.

 

Coutinho has weaved his spell on Premier League defences for five years, establishing himself as one of the leagues finest talents. 

The Blaugrana awaits as he seeks pastures new, while Liverpool have to regroup, after suffering the loss of arguably their prize asset.

 

Tom Cavilla.