Philippe Coutinho arrived at Liverpool in January 2013 as a relatively unproven 20-year-old from Inter Milan, but within months, he had become one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents and enjoyed a remarkable individual rise during his five-year spell at Anfield.
While he did not win any major club titles in England, the Brazilian playmaker developed into a world-class attacking midfielder on Merseyside and became Liverpool’s most expensive sale ever when he joined Barcelona in January 2018 in a deal reportedly worth £142million.
Although his short-lived career in Spain was not particularly memorable, and some might say a huge disappointment, Coutinho was undoubtedly one of the world’s best creative midfielders when he departed Liverpool in 2018 and, according to the Brazilian himself, much of that success was down to one particular British coach.
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Philippe Coutinho Praises Brendan Rodgers
“Liverpool have provided me with a platform”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Coutinho, speaking in an interview in 2015, praised former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers as ‘very important’ to his development at Anfield, following his arrival from Inter Milan in 2013:
“People have to remember that when I came here, I was taken out of an Inter Milan team where I wasn't really playing.
“I thank Brendan for that. Liverpool have provided me with a platform to play regularly in one of the best leagues in the world.
“Brendan is always available to talk to and for me that is very important.”
Coutinho made 201 appearances during his five-year stint with Liverpool, scoring 54 goals and providing 44 assists, with 77 of those goal contributions coming in the Premier League.
The 68-cap Brazil international was also voted Liverpool Fans’ Player of the Season twice, including in 2016, when he helped guide the Reds to both the Europa League and League Cup finals.
Similarly to Coutinho, his former Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez also blossomed into a world-class star under Rodgers, who was once praised by the legendary Pele for his role in the Uruguayan’s rise.
Pele, speaking in an interview back in 2016, said that Rodgers made Suarez an even better player once he arrived in England and prepared him well for his move to Barcelona in 2020:
“I think Celtic are very lucky to have a manager with the qualities of Brendan.
“Luis Suarez was a really good player when he went to Liverpool but I believe Brendan gave him great coaching, guidance and advice and made him a better player and a better person.
“Suarez was prepared well for his move from Liverpool to Barcelona after working under Brendan. Celtic have a good reputation around the world – and have a good manager.”
Rodgers, who took charge of Liverpool in the summer of 2012, spent just over three years at Anfield and led the Reds to a second-place finish in the Premier League in the 2013/14 season.
The Northern Irish tactician’s tenure on Merseyside ended without silverware – he was dismissed in October 2015 with the club sitting 10th in the league.
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Statistics courtesy ofTransfermarkt. Correct as of 2 3 -06-25.