I am keen spectator of Italian football and wanted to share my opion regarding liverpools latest signing. I have followed Inter milan particularly for several years, not only because master Jose was there but I also admired there array of attacking power with Diego milito at the time a clinical finisher, Sneijder the midfield maestro and Cambiaso the Tenacious box to box midfielder.
I remember when Coutinho signed for Inter , there was a lot of excitement at the club. He was a Brasilian prodigy who massimo morrati admired and saw as the future of the club whilst Ronaldinho once tipped Philippe Coutinho to shine as the future of Brazilian football.
I watched his debut in the uefa super cup when inter played athletico madrid, Inter played poorly and lost 2-0 and he didn't have the best of debuts but soon after in a couple of games he really showed his class and at such a young age , it was evident he was a special player.
Rafa the (waiter) was in charge when he signed and it was evident to me that Coutinho was neither an out-and-out striker or neither a true winger and due to his slight build and electrifying pace he ended up on the flank. This is were Rafa played him and at times he really struggled.
When hes up against strong stoke like defending he finds it difficult to have an affect on the game.
For example many of you may remember his electrifying performance at Bayern Munich where his unfettered dribbling tore the Bundesliga side apart. Compare this to games in the Italian league were a complex tactical game and shackles of Italian team-work clashed with his style of play.
I describe him as an instinctive player rather than one who can fit into a general scheme mayb Brendans , but in Italy there is little room for the luxury performer such as Coutinho, running down more and more blind alleys, committing the cardinal sin of giving up possession so his opportunities dwindled and his injuries became more pronounced.
I wish him all the best and I hope he lives up to his abilities. Brendan is the right manager to get the best out of him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=atrI5Y54KzQ&feature=endscreen
Good video of his earlier years showing why he was one of the most talked about talents in brasil at the time
Coutinho a great young talent
posted on 27/1/13
Good article.
posted on 27/1/13
I signed him on football manager 2011 thinking he would become a class act and he gave me nothing but grief, you have been warned.
Trouble maker.
posted on 27/1/13
sjb, thanks for the warning
posted on 27/1/13
sjb did he turn into a rebel?
Btw we have just signed a player who is so similar in my eyes to Suso. Its either going to kill Suso progress or enhance it, this will be another test for Brendan, will it form a healthy competition between them or will it be one big mess. Sterling Suso Coutinho are clearly going to be fighting for places as it is early stages for them.
I hope Brendan helps them become best of friends and they develop a healthy competetive friendship. I look at Swansea and theres hope though he left them with a very tight group of players which is a key factor in their continued success along with good owners and staff.
Also another good thing is i have read reports of Coutinhos maturity for a person of such a young age. I think Suso is fine and then you have cheeky chappy Raheem all 3 however give me excitement over the future they have so much potential lets hope its not wasted for once.
posted on 27/1/13
Liverpool are actually signing good young players now
posted on 27/1/13
TBK
posted on 27/1/13
Great article 4life. I have high hopes but what football doesn't when a new player is signed! I like that we've taken a bit of a gamble on somebody with a huge talent, whether it works out or not in this case I think it's the right approach.
posted on 27/1/13
don't know any thing about the player, but just seen his goal he scored for Inter on SSN, good goal and looks promising.
just hope its not another Assiadi type signing where we never see the ruddy player.
posted on 27/1/13
Cout is actually a really good player, this Liverpool team is shaping up nicely. I think they may finish 4th depending on Spurs, but definitely finish 5th at the lowest.
posted on 27/1/13
So how will you line-up with him?
Something like:
Allen/Henderson Gerrard
Coutinho
Sturridge Suarez Sterling?
Couple of midfielders and you're laughing. He's no Oscar though