After a long, drawn out process of shoving Javier Mascherano out of the Camp Nou and making sure the door didn't hit him, Barcelona have procured an open squad number suitable for expensive new toy Philippe Coutinho.
@Phil_Coutinho's Barça squad number has been confirmed!#Coutinho14https://t.co/LfKAORZVuz
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 24, 2018
Obviously, Coutinho has chosen to honor his former Liverpool skipper, Jordan Henderson, here. It doesn't say so explicitly in the article, but we all know the truth. Steven Gerrard was captain when Coutinho first arrived at Liverpool, but upon his retirement Henderson assumed the armband.
Obviously, Henderson's leadership made an impression on the young Brazilian, and he is repaying the favor by wearing Henderson's squad number at Barcelona.
What a great way to honor his former captain. Good for Coutinho!