Philippe Coutinho was almost the Liverpool hero

It only took 20 minutes, 20 minutes to kill off the dream and the hopes Liverpool had. And in those 20 minutes, former Liverpool star, Philippe Coutinho was inches from being a Liverpool hero. Of course, there is no doubt he now is. He did his part, he played his role and scored a goal that could have won Liverpool the league.

Except it did not, as a resolute Manchester City came back from 2 goals down to peep Liverpool to the title and steal 3 points off the grasp of Aston Villa. It indeed was a dramatic moment in the Premier League.

And one, the Brazilian won’t forget anytime soon as he immediately took to his Instagram account to console the Aston Villa fans, and indirectly the Liverpool fans for a job unaccomplished in the Premier League final match day of the season.

Before the game, many were already writing scripts, how Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as manager in the dugout of Aston Villa, and Coutinho would help bring the title to Anfield on the last day of the season.

It was a tale too good to be true, but it almost was. It was only 20 minutes from being true.

Matty Cash had stunned the Manchester City crowd when he headed Villa into the lead in the first half, before the dramatic scripts were written as wishes became reality when Coutinho doubled his side’s lead in the second half.

The cheers were raining from Merseyside; the Liverpool fans were celebrating, with Gerrard’s and Coutinho’s names on their lips. Liverpool needed one more goal against Wolves to claim the Premier League title.

But then, history repeated itself.

After the game, Coutinho had to leave behind a message for fans, while Liverpool forward, Roberto Firmino, issued a wordless response to former teammate, posting hands raised on emoji in the comment.

For Villa players, they will be kicking themselves for not capitulating on the advantage but they will have to move on and concentrate on the coming season while aiming for Europe. And so will Philippe Coutinho who had agreed a 5 year deal with the club.

Though it will be a tough one for Liverpool, but they too will have to move on, and as Jurgen Klopp said in his post match press conference, “Congratulations to Manchester City, Pep Guardiola and the whole club.”