Philippe Coutinho‘s former youth coach says the midfielder has told him he wants to stay and taste domestic and European glory with Liverpool.
Coutinho is swiftly developing into one of the best players in the Premier League, as well as establishing himself on the international stage with Brazil.
The 24-year-old scored in Brazil’s recent 3-0 victory over Argentina, and was promptly linked with a move to Barcelona.
However, while Coutinho no doubt has the quality to shine alongside the likes of Neymar Jr. and Luis Suarez, as he has proved in the past, he is more than happy on Merseyside.
That is according to Rodney Goncalves, who coached Coutinho as a youngster at Vasco and remains in close contact with the Reds’ No. 10.
“Whenever we speak he always says that is very happy at Liverpool and his biggest challenge is to win the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool,” he told the Telegraph.
“He knows that if he continues to give great performances for Liverpool, he will always be selected for Brazil.”
The importance of playing a key role for your country is arguably magnified in Brazil, particularly when compared to England, and now Coutinho is shining under Tite in the Selecao, he will want to remain there.
However, Goncalves believes comparisons between Coutinho and Neymar, the playmaker’s close friend, are not relevant.
“Coutinho can be compared to Neymar, but Coutinho is Coutinho,” he continued.
“He can become a very popular in Brazil and around the world like Neymar, he just needs to get a sequence of games in the Brazilian squad.
“There is pressure on him but it is not a problem. He plays at a big club and plays in the most important league in the world.”
The view that the Premier League is the most important league in the world is one rarely shared by Brazilian footballers, with many targeting a high-profile switch to La Liga.
But having experienced life in Spain already, while on loan at Espanyol during his tumultuous time on the books at Inter Milan, Coutinho may have already found his home in England.
Naturally, if success does not follow, Coutinho could look elsewhere, but with the little magician in their midst, Liverpool look increasingly capable of fulfilling his dreams.
Fan Comments