Lambert, Fowler: Coutinho next? Players who returned to Liverpool

Former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho wants to return to Anfield, according to recent reports. The Brazil international signed with Barcelona for a club-record €160 million in January 2018 but failed to impress and has since been sent off to Bayern Munich on loan. The 28-year-old now reportedly wants to team up with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp again in a bid to recapture his form and is prepared to take a pay cut to do so. In Liverpool history, six players returned to the club after departure. First, is Rickie Lambert. Lambert spent seven years at Liverpool academy before being released at 15. 17 years later he returned to Anfield. He scored three goals in his only season at the club before moving to West Brom in 2015. Craig Bellamy first joined Liverpool in 2006-07, then he was given a second chance at Anfield in 2011, and lasted 12 months. He made an impact as Liverpool won the League Cup and made it to the FA Cup final. Fabio Aurelio was released at the end of the 2009-10 season, as he was rejected a pay-as-you-play offer. A few weeks later Roy Hodgson brings him back to the club, but the second spell went the same way as the first and he left the club in 2012. Robbie Fowler scored 171 goals in 330 appearances during his first spell at Liverpool. After spells at Leeds United and Manchester City, the striker returned to Anfield in January 2006. He added a further 12 goals to his Liverpool tally over the next 18 months. Ian Rush scored 207 goals in 331 games for Liverpool before Juventus signed him in 1987. But 12 months later he returned to Anfield. He scored another 139 goals for the club and become their all-time record goalscorer. Steve Staunton won the league title and an FA Cup with Liverpool but he was offloaded to Aston Villa. After seven years he returned to Anfield. His second stint on Merseyside lasted only two seasons and Staunton returned to Villa on a free transfer in 2000. Source: planetfootball