2 years ago
355 Roberto Firmino has told Viaplay Fotball that Philippe Coutinho is a magician and an exceptional player as he named the Aston Villa star in his ultimate Liverpool five-a-side team.
It is no secret that Coutinho has not had the best start to the season. The 30-year-old is yet to score or provide an assist in his nine Premier League appearances for the Villans.
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It is a far cry from the player who looked to be back to his best in the early stages of his loan spell at Villa Park last season. The attacking midfielder was outstanding for Steven Gerrard’s side shortly after his move.
Coutinho is a magician
His performances evoked memories of the player who ran the show for Liverpool for several years before his switch to Barcelona.
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Firmino got to play alongside his countryman for two-and-a-half years before his Camp Nou switch. And when asked to put together his dream five-a-side team made up of those he has played alongside for the Reds, the 31-year-old made sure to include Coutinho.
“For the fourth, I will go for Philippe Coutinho,” he told Viaplay Fotball. “We had a great bond when we played together at the club. It was a privilege to play alongside him. He is a baller and a magician. He is an exceptional player.”
Coutinho has rarely looked the same player since choosing to leave Liverpool. The weight of expectation which came with the transfer fee plagued his time with Barcelona.
A loan spell at Bayern Munich had bright moments. He helped the Bavarian side win the treble. And he scored twice in their Champions League win over Barcelona.
The return to the Premier League appeared to flip a switch for Coutinho. He scored five times in his first eight appearances for the Villans. However, he has done very little since.
Villa have a number of outstanding attacking players. And yet, something is not working for Steven Gerrard’s side right now. And their lack of goals is a major concern.
It perhaps says everything about how Coutinho’s season has gone that he was taken off after 65 minutes on Monday as Villa searched for a winner against Nottingham Forest.
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