Philippe Coutinho‘s failed move to Barcelona had some suggesting he would refuse to play, but both on and off the pitch the No. 10 has showed that to be nonsense.
Jurgen Klopp has eased his playmaker back into the setup since the transfer window closed, with his importance to the side becoming apparent once more following Sadio Mane‘s suspension.
Coutinho, back in the team for Liverpool and with goals in back-to-back games of late, was a stand-out performer in the frustrating midweek draw with Spartak.
And he made it clear his focus has not been affected by summer events, with the 2017/18 season an important one for him in the red shirt.
“I’m calm. It’s all passed by,” Coutinho is reported to have said by the Mirror after the Champions League match on Tuesday.
“I’m here to defend the colours, to give my maximum.
“It wasn’t really the result we wanted but we have to keep working and there are more games, another four games to come.”
Coutinho also spoke about his aims with his national team, Brazil, with who he will likely be involved during the upcoming international week.
“I hope to get called up. With every call-up I want to develop and for us develop as a team in order to be successful.”
Having been a key part of Tite’s plans with Brazil over the last year, Coutinho knows he must continue his good form for the Reds to be a cert for the Selecao’s starting XI at the World Cup in 2018.
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