Liverpool"s Philippe Coutinho has admitted that he is still getting used to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
The Brazilian signed for the Merseyside giants in Janaury for a fee of £8.5m from Serie A side Inter and has made an immediate impact.
But the former Vasco da Gama starlet admits he needs more time in the gym to adapt to the rigours of the English game.
Coutinho told Liverpoolfc.com: “It is very different here. In Brazil the game is very open, the defenders are not as tight with the attacker. I think this is the hardest thing here.
“Also, the game is very quick – but I feel I can improve these things during training and improve my intensity.
“I have been doing some body building, too, so I can get more used to the physicality."
Though he is just 20 years old, the Barclays Premier League is the fourth top-flight division Coutinho has played in having featured in Serie A, La Liga and the Brasileirão.
“English football is very quick, it has great intensity, and I think this is the big difference [to other leagues]," he continued.
“In Brazil, football is slower, the tactics are a bit more open and the pitch even seems to be bigger – even though it is obviously the same size – due to the game being so open.
“In Italy, it is a little bit different than it is in Brazil, but here in England it is very quick. I played in Italy and in Spain but the intensity of the game here is very strong. I just have to improve to be able to play at the highest level here.
“I will always give my best and then try to score and create good moves to help the team win."
Source: Liverpool FC
