Philippe Coutinho played at Anfield for the first time since his Liverpool departure on Sunday.As part of Brazil's preparations for the World Cup, the in-form South Americans organised a friendly with Croatia which just happened to take place at Anfield. It was something of a home game for Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino.Coutinho plied his trade at Liverpool between 2013 and 2018, becoming something of a fan's favourite with his talent in midfield and hard-working attitude.Nevertheless, his love for Liverpool didn't stop him following his dreams of a move to Barcelona which eventually came to fruition in January.In spite of that, though, Coutinho had plenty of kind words for his old club ahead of his return and paid star man Mohamed Salah no end of compliments.

Coutinho returns to Anfield

Coutinho noted: “Watching Mo Salah since then has been amazing.

“He is going to be a player who will be a big hero at Liverpool for a long time, I am totally convinced of that."

Tite handed Coutinho a place in the starting XI for the international friendly, eventually substituting him later in the game. Brazil won 2-0 virtue of goals from Neymar and Firmino.

Boos for Coutinho amid mixed reception

However, how the crowd reacted to Coutinho caused quite the reaction on Twitter.

In fact, it split supporters right down the middle. Sections of the crowed booed Coutinho when his name was announced, when he touched the ball and when he eventually left the action.

Some, on the other hand, gave an enthusiastic cheers and applauded. Those boos just didn't sit well with some, though - check out the reaction:

Should Coutinho really be heckled?

Sadly, it seems there are few players who aren't booed when they return to an old team, even if they did give you five years of service and showed passion for the cause.

It will likely upset Kenny Dalglish, however, who feared Coutinho wouldn't get the perfect reception.

He noted earlier in the week: “I would hope that, if there are people there who are Liverpool fans, they would give Coutinho a good reception.

“There may be people there who are upset that he’s left but they’re entitled to their opinion, but don’t turn up if all you want to do is boo people.

“I can understand the disappointment because he was fantastic over the past 18 months, but go watch Brazil and watch Firmino and the fantastic times he’s given."

Do you think Coutinho should have been booed? Have your say in the comments section below.