Liverpool star Roberto Firmino has praised "magician" Philippe Coutinho in a farewell message to the Brazilian.

The playmaker finalised a move to Barcelona earlier this week in a deal thought to be worth £142m.

Coutinho and Firmino played alongside one another at Liverpool for two-and-a-half years, and struck up a friendship in that time.

In fact, the new Barcelona star was best man at Firmino's wedding to Larissa Pereira in Brazil last summer.

On Facebook, the Reds attacker wrote: "Liverpool is no longer the same without you my magical brother. I wish you infinite success, that you enjoy life and realise all your dreams brother. God is always protecting you and your whole family. It was an honour to play with a magician like you."

Coutinho spent five years at Liverpool but did not win a trophy in that time.