Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed the talent of attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
The 21 year-old, who was signed from Internazionale for £8.5 million in January, played a starring role in Liverpool’s 4-1 win against West Ham United on Saturday.
Rodgers believes he has an excellent player at his disposal.
“The great thing is that I was watching some videos of him from when he was 12 and 13 playing futsal and there is no difference,” he said, as reported by The Guardian. “He plays like a street kid, he plays like a boy but his performances are like a man; he’s a brilliant player.”
Coutinho has been capped just once by Brazil – a friendly against Iran in October 2010.
Rodgers admits he has been pushing Seleção head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to select him ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
“I am constantly on to Scolari about him,” the former Swansea City manager continued. “Felipe has just asked me to keep an eye on the Brazilian boys – even ones at other clubs – but I’m only concerned about the ones here.”
“They have Neymar, Oscar and Bernard so they have a raft of talent. But he is an exceptional player for 21 years of age.”
