Scout Report: Philippe Coutinho - Luiz Felipe Scolari's Trump Card?

Coutinho – A dark horse to make it to the Brazil squad?

It is a new era for Brazilian football. The play-maker role is back. That one player who lurks in between the attack and defense, and is tricky little pest to track for the defenders. Brazil is producing those kinds of players on demand at the moment. From Oscar to Willian to Lucas Moura to Bernard, all in their early 20s, and seen as the leaders of a new Brazilian generation of superstars. One man who has gone under the radar slightly has been little Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho and the word magician have been used in tandem a lot throughout the current footballing season. Coutinho has been instrumental in Liverpool’s bid for the English Premier League title this season, and it is no wonder that this little genius would consider himself unlucky should he miss out on a place in what promises to be Brazil’s biggest footballing party.

But Coutinho knows it’s hard to break through that line of fantastic players. According to the player himself, the first priority is to try and win  the Premier League with Liverpool and then try and make the Brazilian squad, both dreams on which he has not given up. He says, “There’s a famous saying in my country, “O Brasileiro Nao Desiste Nunca”, which means Brazilians never give up“

Since joining Liverpool, Coutinho has not given up, despite what was a poor passage of his career early. Signed up at the age of 18 by Inter Milan from his hometown club Vasco da Gama, Coutinho was given the number seven jersey that many greats before him had worn. However, Coutinho never adjusted fully to life in Italy, and was sent on loan to Espanyol where he did little to impress. But then, Brendan Rodgers saw some spark in this little magician and signed him up for the Reds. And Coutinho was instantly loved by the fans as his skills and eye for a pass really caught the eye. And Coutinho has kicked on from that impressive start this season as well.

After an impressive start to the season, he was hit by injury in the fourth game against Swansea, which ruled him out for five weeks. When he came back against Arsenal, the team was galvanized and although they lost that particular game, the next one was a resounding 4-0 drubbing of Fulham. After that, Coutinho has not looked back. He scored Liverpool’s only goal at the Etihad Stadium, and put up impressive displays as Everton and Arsenal were thrashed and Anfield slowly became the fortress that it once used to be.

But arguably Coutinho’s best performance of the season came against Manchester City at Anfield, in a game that was seen as critical in deciding the destiny of the title. Playing on the right side of a midfield diamond, Coutinho was tenacious with his tackling, and ensured Samir Nasri had a torrid time down City’s left. But then, Coutinho’s moment had not yet arrived.

Minute seventy-six. A cross from Raheem Sterling was sliced away by Vincent Kompany as he attempted to clear it, and the next thing you know, Anfield erupted. Because one little man with his back half turned away from goal hit a football as sweetly as he ever had, and put Liverpool in temporary charge of the Premier League title race.

Coutinho has been used in various positions by Brendan Rodgers – from being pushed to different positions in a midfield diamond to playing on the left wing to playing behind Luis Suarez or Daniel Sturridge when one of them missed out – Coutinho has done it all for Liverpool this season.

Even with his slight frame, Coutinho has been fearless in the tackle, averaging 2.4 tackles a game in the League this season. Coutinho has 5 goals and 7 assists to his name as well. On the ball, he is an absolute genius. The balance, the composure, the vision, the ability to burst past defenders, Coutinho has got it all. But one area of his game where he is found wanting is in front of goal.

Far too often, Coutinho has lost his composure and has dragged shots wide or over the net, when he ideally should have scored. But, one thing that we have to remember is that he is still only 21, and for a 21 year old, he possesses an absolutely outstanding skill set.

There have been a few soft rumours floating around that Real Madrid may be interested in buying Coutinho, but as they did with Luis Suarez, Liverpool are likely to reject any bid.

While this is another golden generation of Brazilian playmakers, Philippe Coutinho could be the one spark that could be needed by Luiz Felipe Scolari to take Brazil all the way.