Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho after scoring against Swansea City in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Philippe Coutinho Correia
Date of birth	(1992-06-12) 12 June 1992
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position	Attacking Midfielder / Winger
Club information
Current club	Liverpool
Number	10
Youth career
1999–2008	Vasco da Gama
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2009–2010	Vasco da Gama	19	(1)
2010–2013	Internazionale	28	(3)
2012	→ Espanyol (loan)	16	(5)
2013–	Liverpool	32	(5)
National team‡
2009–2010	Brazil U17	5	(3)
2011–2012	Brazil U20	7	(3)
2010–	Brazil	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:13, 2 February 2014 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 August 2011

Philippe Coutinho Correia (Brazilian Portuguese: [fiˈlipi kowˈtʃĩj̃u]; born 12 June 1992) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Liverpool and the Brazil national team.

Club career

Vasco da Gama

Coutinho started his footballing career as part of Vasco da Gama's youth system and was bought by Italian Serie A giants Internazionale in 2008, at the age of 16, for €4 million.^[1] Coutinho stayed at Vasco on loan until his 18th birthday, becoming a first team player for the Brazilian side despite his young age.

Internazionale

Coutinho in training with Internazionale.

Coutinho's move to Internazionale became effective on July 2010, after he turned 18, with new head coach Rafael Benítez and chairman Massimo Moratti being quoted saying that "Coutinho is the future of Inter".^{[citation needed]}

He made his official debut in an Internazionale jersey as a substitute during the Nerazzurri's 2–0 defeat at the hands of Atlético Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup final on 27 August 2010. After dropping out of selection in the starting line up, he returned and proved crucial in the 3–2 win over Bayern Munich in Germany as he provided a beautiful ball for Samuel Eto'o after running at the defense, followed by Eto'o setting up Wesley Sneijder for the second Inter goal; a game which Internazionale would go onto win and progress to the Quarter Finals of the Champions League on the away goals rule.^{[citation needed]} On 8 May 2011, he scored his first goal for Internazionale from a free-kick that curled above the wall and into the net in a game that Internazionale won 3–1 at home against Fiorentina.

His second goal for Inter came in a match against Cagliari on 19 November 2011 where Coutinho picked up a through ball from his teammate Alvarez to place the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2–0 to Internazionale. He further became involved and staked a claim for his spot when he provided an assist during a game against Fiorentina and was heavily involved in the second goal. Coutinho has overall 3 goals and 16 assist to his name including all competition for Inter. He moved in and out during year 2011-2012 at Inter and was loaned out to Espanyol.

Espanyol (loan)

On 30 January 2012, Coutinho joined Spanish side Espanyol on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season.^[2] Coutinho made his first appearance for Espanyol on 4 February 2012 in a 3–3 draw in a match vs. Athletic Bilbao. He scored his first goal for the Catalan side in the ninth minute of a game held on 11 March in a 5–1 victory against Rayo Vallecano. He scored his second goal in the 21st minute of the same game.^[3] He continued his fine form as he scored a sublime volley against Racing Santandar and a well placed free kick against Malaga. On 18 May 2012, Coutinho made his return to Inter and began training immediately upon arrival to the Angelo Moratti Training Facility. He was included in 20-men squad for a friendly tour to Indonesia. Those 20 players were without international duty.

Liverpool

On 26 January 2013, Liverpool reportedly agreed a £8.5m fee with Internazionale for Coutinho, although at that time he was almost a Chelsea player, he was also linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City, but the player chose Liverpool and was soon pending a medical exam and a work permit from the Home Office as he did not have enough international appearances to qualify automatically.^[4] Southampton had also expressed an interest in Coutinho, who had played under Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino at Espanyol, but Coutinho said he would prefer to join Liverpool.^[5] On 30 January, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Coutinho on a long-term contract after he was successful in his work permit application, and was given the number 10 shirt.^[6][7]

He made his debut on 11 February 2013, replacing Stewart Downing in the 78th minute of a 2–0 defeat against West Brom at Anfield.^[8] Less than a week later, on 17 February he scored his first goal for Liverpool on his full debut in a 5–0 victory over Swansea City, 16 seconds into the second half, after an exquisite through ball from Luis Suarez^[9] On 2 March, he set up Liverpool's first and second goals of the game in a 4–0 win against Wigan Athletic. Coutinho scored his second goal for Liverpool in a 3–1 away loss to Southampton. On 31 March, he set up Liverpool's first goal in a 2-1 away win against Aston Villa. On 27 April, he won the Man of the Match award in Liverpool's 6–0 away victory of Newcastle United. Coutinho ran the game for Liverpool, claiming two assists, being heavily involved in another, and winning the free-kick from which Jordan Henderson added Liverpool's sixth. Coutinho won Player of the Month for Liverpool in March. On 12 May he assisted Daniel Sturridge for his second and third goals, helping Sturridge claim his first Premier League hat-trick, in a 1-3 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.^[10] Coutinho scored Liverpool's final goal of the season against QPR in Jamie Carragher's final match for the club. Jordon Ibe began a twisting run before setting the ball off to the Brazilian, who executed a fine driven shot into the bottom left corner from 30 yards out; Ibe was credited with the assist on his Liverpool debut.^[11] On 16 September 2013, Coutinho injured his shoulder against Swansea City after a clash with Ashley Williams .^[12] He was restored to the starting line-up for the 4-0 victory over Fulham F.C at Anfield on 9 November. On 23 November, Coutinho scored the opening goal of the Merseyside derby in the 5th minute. Coutinho created his first assist of the season with a corner in the 5-1 thrashing of Norwich at Anfield. On 26 December, he scored the first half opening goal at Manchester City from a tight angle before City scored twice in the same half to win the game.

Style of play

Considered to be an archetypal Brazilian number 10 with trickery, flair, fantastic vision and an eye for goal. Coutinho has been used as an offensive midfielder (trequartista), second striker and on the flanks. He has that vision and passing ability to unlock defences at will with mesmerising through balls, and does so on a consistent basis. He has been compared to Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho by former Espanyol manager Mauricio Pochettino,^[13] and has been highly praised by fellow Liverpool teammates.

International career

A key player in the Brazilian squad that won the 2009 South American Under-17 Football Championship scoring 3 goals, Coutinho made his first senior appearance in a Brazil shirt on 7 October 2010, starting in a friendly match against Iran.^[14]

Career statistics

As of 2 February 2014^[15]

Honours

Player

Vasco da Gama

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B (1): 2009

Internazionale

• Coppa Italia (1): 2010–11
• Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2010

Brazil U-17

• South American U-17 Championship (1): 2009

Brazil U-20

• FIFA U-20 World Cup (1): 2011

Individual

• Liverpool Young Player of the Year Award (1): 2012–13
• Liverpool Player of the Month Award (2): March 2013, April 2013

References

External links

• Official website
• Philippe Coutinho career stats at Soccerbase
• ESPN Profile
• LFC History Profile