Brazilian flava set to make Reds midfield sparkle

Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool FC

“It’s just like watching Brazil.”

And it quite literally is as Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers begins to put his trust in the Brazilian midfield pairing of Lucas Leiva and new signing, Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho burst into Liverpool fans adoration on Sunday during his first start for the Reds with a well taken goal and exciting performance during the 5-0 thrashing of Swansea at Anfield.

Rodgers will look to Lucas to mentor Countinho into life on Merseyside, but the 20-year-old already seems to have found his feet following his £8million move from Inter Milan in the January transfer window.

“I’m really happy for him,” Lucas told the club’s official website. “We were talking about the pace of the Premier League and even with the training sessions he has found it is much quicker than in Italy.

“He will need time to settle but that goal will give him confidence. We could see a lot of positive things from him against Swansea. Hopefully he will be a great player for now and for the future as he’s only 20.

“But he will need time. Every single young player who comes to the Premier League finds it difficult when they first come. It will be the same for him.

“I’ve told him about how he will be successful here. He is trying to adapt and play quick because he knows he needs that tempo to be successful.

“He has the skills and the ability to do well. We just need to support and help him.”

Coutinho is unfortunately ineligible to play in Liverpool’s crucial Europa League tie against Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday night, but the time off will give the attacking playmaker a chance to build up his fitness.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments