Philippe Coutinho has spoken for the first time about his failed move to Barcelona.
Liverpool rejected three bids from the La Liga outfit for the playmaker during the course of the summer, with the final offer arriving in the region of £114 million.
The Anfield hierarchy’s stance on Coutinho proved unwavering as owners Fenway Sports Group made a ‘definitive’ statement that he was not for sale.
Coutinho had attempted to force through a move to the Nou Camp by submitting a transfer request on the eve of the Reds’ new Premier League campaign.
But the Brazil international, who recently returned to action after a back injury, insists that he remains committed to Liverpool.
“What happened was a job offer and, in life, sometimes you get interested,” he told ESPN Brasil.
“Sometimes you don’t and, in my case, everyone knows that I got interested, my family too.
“As I have always said, it is a great offer to receive an offer from such a great club like that. But it is also a great honour being here.
“Liverpool is a great club worldwide. I’m here and I will give my best as always.
“It was a complicated month for me but as I have said, it is an honour to receive that offer.
“But it is also an honour to wear this shirt, so what I can do is work hard and honour that on the field.
“It is all cool. I’m working hard, my thoughts are on the team’s goals, making a good season, with the national team too, doing my best to get there.”
He added: “I am in a place that I have always been given respect by everyone and I too respect everyone.
“I have conquered my space in four, five years and never had any problems with anyone – the fans, the board, my team-mates, the coaching staff.
“That has not changed. As I have said, in life, in every job you get an offer, interested or not. It is all in the past.”