Liverpool cult hero joins Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona and Liverpool do not really have a dated history when it comes to sharing the same players.

In fact, there have only ever been three players who have move directly from Anfield to the Nou Camp.

🚨2025/26 LFC x adidas range🚨

LFC x adidas

Shop the away range TODAY

LFC x adidas

Shop the home range today!

LFC x adidas

Shop the goalkeeper range today

LFC x adidas

Shop the new adidas range today!

The first was Javier Mascherano, who ended up helping Barcelona win the Champions League against Manchester United and dedicating it to Liverpool supporters.

The second was Luis Suarez, whose move came under a lot of controversy at the time. Suarez had been embroiled in a biting incident at the World Cup and he had angled for a move for a while up until that point.

Ultimately, you could not blame the Uruguayan for wanting to move on. Liverpool were not in the same position as Barcelona, and didn't look like they could genuinely challenge for league titles for years to come. He didn't have time to wait around. He was in the prime of his career and he wanted trophies immediately.

The last and most infamous move was that of Philippe Coutinho. With the benefit of hindsight this transfer is one Liverpool fans can now look back on with fondness. At the time, Coutinho's loss stung but ultimately it made the Reds better with the enormous transfer fee allowing the club to build its defensive foundations as Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker were both signed.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas away range

Later, Liverpool would have the last laugh at Anfield with a spectacular 4-0 victory over the Catalans, frustrating Luis Suarez on his return to the club.

As far as the history between the two sides go, that's about it. In total, they've faced each other just 10 times. Far less than Barcelona's rivals, Real Madrid, who the Reds seem to encounter all the time these days.

Liverpool are going to be facing Real Madrid for the 8th time this season since the final in Kyiv in 2018.

In comparison, Liverpool have faced Barcelona that many times for the last 25 seasons. As well as the Divock Origi moment in the semi-final of the competition. The Craig Bellamy golf club swing also stands out as a significant and memorable moment between the two sides.

Now there's expected to be more crossover between the two clubs, though, with a cult favourite at Anfield on his way to Barcelona.

Thiago set to return to Barcelona

What a player Thiago Alcantara was for the Reds. We all loved to see him play as fans. He read the game like he was a step ahead of everyone else.

It was like putting Albert Einstein amongst a group of nursery kids. So elevated was Thiago's wisdom and technical qualities of the beautiful sport.

It's just a shame that his body could not function in the same wavelength as his brain. Ultimately, Thiago was a cult hero at Anfield but he could have so easily become a legend.

If only he had managed to maintain his fitness levels. If only he had been able to play more often. Liverpool could have had a fantastic player on their hands.

© IMAGO

Since leaving the club, Thiago has not found himself a new team. He's been enjoying his retirement but now he's set to return to Barcelona.

According to Fabrizio Romano the Liverpool cult hero has agreed to join Hansi Flick's side as a coach.

The transfer expert shared on his social media account that the agreement between Thiago and Barcelona is now '100% done.'

So the former Liverpool man will be helping one of the best young teams in Europe and sharing his incredible footballing wisdom with the likes of Lamine Yamal and co.

That's a huge coup for Barcelona.