31 Aug 2015

£65m 'genius' raves: 'Sensational' Liverpool attacker is my 'favourite player' in the Premier League

In his final season at Anfield, Luis Suarez contributed an incredible 55 goals/assists in 37 games for Liverpool, and prior to his departure, he played alongside Philippe Coutinho, who (arguably) has the raw potential to develop into a player capable of making a similar impact. Coutinho continues to struggle for consistency at Anfield, but according to Suarez, the 'sensational' Brazilian is one of the best players in the Premier League.

When asked on Friday to name his favourite Premier League player, Suarez told UEFA officials:

"My favourite player at the moment in the Premier League is [Liverpool attacker] Philippe Coutinho".

After being (unfairly) sent off against West Ham, Coutinho will probably feel a little deflated at the moment, and that'll probably be compounded by the knowledge that he'll miss the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester United.

However, he should take confidence from Suarez's faith in his ability - the Premier League is filled with top-class players, and if Coutinho stands out to thus extent, then he must be doing something right.

That said, if was a cynical person, and I *am* when it comes to football, I'd suggest that Suarez's seemingly innocent flattery is yet another nefarious attempt to tap Coutinho up ;-)

It wouldn't be the first time. In a May interview, Barca legend Ronaldinho - who spent 5 years at the Nou Camp - urged Coutinho to set his sights higher:

"I know what Barcelona look for in a player and Coutinho has those qualities. Coutinho would be the perfect fit [and] playing with Neymar, Messi, and Suarez [will] make him a better player".

Unfortunately for Liverpool, Coutinho idolises Ronaldinho, and he confirmed this in January, when he told the official LFC website:

"I’ve always enjoyed seeing Ronaldinho play and I watch videos of him to take as an inspiration."

Coutinho referenced Ronaldinho last season, too, when he named the former world 'player of the year' as one of his idols:

“My idols are Kaka and Ronaldinho, who play in the same position”


£65m Suarez - hailed by Steven Gerrard as an 'absolute genius' - won 4 trophies in his first season at Barcelona, and with Liverpool's ongoing struggles under Brendan Rodgers, it'll be no surprise when Coutinho inevitably starts casting a covetous (and envious) eye in the Catalan club's direction.

On thing's for sure: Coutinho has little chance of winning the league/Champions League under Rodger, and like Suarez, he's too good a player to waste his career on a manager who prioritises pressing/tackling/running over creative endeavour, and individual expression.

Is Coutinho destined for the Nou Camp?

Author: Jaimie K


0 Comments:

Post a Comment