Trent Alexander-Arnold sends touching message to Philippe Coutinho as former Liverpool midfielder rejoins boyhood club

Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has sent a message to ex-teammate Philippe Coutinho following the latter's move to Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama.

Earlier this week, Coutinho secured a season-long loan move to his boyhood team from Aston Villa. He spent most of the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Qatari side Al-Duhail, where he made 23 appearances.

Following the 32-year-old midfielder's switch to Vasco da Gama, Alexander-Arnold took to social media and posted a video message addressing his ex-teammate. He said (h/t X/@LFCTransferRoom):

"Hey Phil, it's Trent here. I just wanted to say all the best and good luck on your new journey and new challenge. I know you'll smash it and yeah, all the best my friend!"

Coutinho, who shared the pitch with Alexander-Arnold 12 times at Liverpool, made his name during his five-year spell at the Reds. He scored 54 goals and laid out 43 assists in 201 games across all competitions for the Anfield outfit between January 2013 and January 2018.

After joining Barcelona from Liverpool, Coutinho helped the La Liga outfit lift seven trophies, including two league titles. He also won the treble during his loan spell at Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 season.

Opining on his Vasco da Gama move, Coutinho said (h/t Desh Sewak):

"Vasco means everything to me when it comes to football. It's the club that raised me, that gave me the opportunity to become a player. I graduated from the Vasco academy. It prepared me for football and gave me countless opportunities. Vasco for me is a feeling of love. I've been wanting to return for a long time."

Coutinho is expected to play in Vasco da Gama's clash against Atletico Goianiense in a Brasileiro Serie A encounter on Wednesday (July 17).

Wesley Sneijder claims Liverpool forward is not similar to former Bayern Munich player

During a chat with Dutch outlet Soccernews.nl, ex-Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder shut down comparisons between Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and Arjen Robben. The Dutchman said (h/t Liverpool.com):

"I don't understand it because they are two completely different players. Why do you have to compare them? It's a different time. Other things are desired. People should stop making comparisons. People should just enjoy themselves."

Gakpo, 25, relished a fine UEFA Euro 2024 campaign for Netherlands. He bagged three goals and one assist in six tournament appearances.

On the other hand, Gakpo has contributed 23 goals and nine assists in 79 outings across competitions for the Arne Slot-coached outfit so far.