Philippe Coutinho - Player of the Week
Philippe Coutinho - Player of the Week
Coutinho creates some Brazilian magic to stun Stoke
Brazilian international, Phillipe Coutinho, left it late, but in the 86th minute scored a fantastic goal to give Liverpool a 1-0 win away to Stoke City. It was the home team that had the best chance in the first half, when right-back Glen Johnson, who moved from Liverpool to Stoke in the summer, hit his shot over the bar. Ibrahim Affelay, who Stoke signed from Barcelona, showed some nice touches in midfield, but, generally, it was a match with few chances. Just as it looked like the match would finish in a 0-0 draw, Coutinho hit the winning goal, and it was a goal that would light up any match. The Brazilian showed great strength to control the ball and spin away from a defender, before moving forward and hitting an amazing shot into the top corner.
"It was a great turn, he’s got away from the midfield player and hit a wonderful strike. It was a great strike to win the game." Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers.
Is this revenge for Liverpool's record defeat?
This was the second consecutive Premier League match between Stoke City and Liverpool. The final match of the 2014/15 season finished Stoke City 6-1 Liverpool. This was Stoke's biggest ever Premier League victory and Liverpool's worst ever Premier League defeat, in fact, it was Liverpool's worst defeat since 1963! Stoke scored five in the first half and Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, apologised to Liverpool fans after the match. Before last weekend's match, new Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, said it is a match that he won't forget for a long time. After the match, Henderson spoke more about last season's match and said, "It's a new season and a new start, but at the back of our mind now that's gone".
“It [the 6-1] was a one-off game, a unique game. But it still happened and you have to be better and more resolute. We were working in preseason making sure our defensive organisation was better.” Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers.
What do we know about Phillipe Coutinho?
Philippe Coutinho was born on 12 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, which is the second largest city in Brazil and famous for its carnival, beaches and football. Growing up next to the Maracana Stadium, one of the most iconic stadiums in world football, and with two older brothers, Cristiano and Leandro, who loved football, there was always a good chance that Coutinho would become a footballer. Like many kids in Brazil, Coutinho grew up playing Futsal on concrete pitches, which is like 5-a-side football with a heavier ball. It is often said that it's this game that produces players with traditional Brazilian skills. Coutinho was signed by Italian team, Inter Milan, when he was only 16, and after playing on loan in Brazil for 2 years he made the long journey to Europe. After making 28 appearances for Inter, Coutinho moved on loan to Spanish team Espanyol. After only 6 months in Spain, Liverpool paid around £8.5 million to bring the Brazilian to the Premier League.
"I could have never imagined, when playing on that concrete pitch, that I would be appreciated at a club like Liverpool and be the footballer I am today." Philippe Coutinho.
Can Liverpool build a team around Coutinho?
In the last two seasons, Liverpool have lost the player that they built the team around. Last season that was Steven Gerrard, and the season before, it was Luis Suarez. With Gerrard now in America, can Coutinho be the player that Liverpool look to when they need something special? If Coutinho can produce pieces of magic like he did on the opening day of the season, then the answer is definitely yes. Coutinho, who is now in his third season at Liverpool, won the club's Player of the Year award last season and was also named in the Premier League's team of the season. After making seven new signings in the summer, it will take the likes of Christian Benteke (signed from Villa) and Roberto Firmino time to settle in at Liverpool. For this reason, the manager will be looking to the player that Liverpool fans call 'The Little Magician' to continue performing at his best.
His creativity is incredible and that's why he's called 'The Magician' by all of us in the team." Lucas, Coutinho's Brazilain teammate.
Does Coutinho play for Brazil?
Coutinho was an important member of Brazil's youth teams and helped Brazil win the under-17 South American Championships and the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. He made his debut for the Brazilian national team in 2010, when he was only 18, but found it difficult to win a regular place in the team. He was left out of the squad for the World Cup in 2014, but more recently things are looking better for Coutinho. He scored his first goal for Brazil in June 2015 and also won a place in the Copa America squad in Chile. At only 23 years-old, Coutinho has his best years in front of him, which can only be a good thing for Brazil and Liverpool.
Is Coutinho the best Brazilian in the Premier League?
Click on talk and quiz and let us know what you think!
What did you understand?
Did you know......?
- In 2014/15, three of Coutinho's four goals came from outside the box!
- Jose Mourinho signed Coutinho for Inter Milan but he never played for him.
- Coutinho played under Rafa Benitez at Inter and Mauricio Pocchetino (Spurs manager) at Espanol.
- He is married to Aine, who is his childhood sweetheart, and they moved continents together when they were only 17.
- The tattoo on Coutinho's arm is dedicated to Aine, his parents and two brothers.
Quiz
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What do you think?
Will Coutinho be Liverpool's star player this season?
Do you think Liverpool will have a good season?
There are many great Brazilian midfielders in the Premier League at the moment. Who do you think is the best?
Oscar? Willian? Fernandinho? Coutinho?
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Komentar
14/12/2022
points
2023 is his year and I tell you why: he is number 23 in Aston villa.
14/12/2022 15:03
Liverpool
81
2023 is his year and I tell you why: he is number 23 in Aston villa.
09/11/2022
points
Sentences
• Attention seeker persons always looks for something to stun people.
• She left it late, but finally accepted marriage proposal.
• My wife lights up my life by cooking delicious Turkish meals :-)
• To spin away risk of market, portfolio should be diversified.
• Salespersons might be left out of the marketing team when they don't reach given target figures.
Footbal phrase suggestion:
• Opening Goal (First goal of the match)
09/11/2022 17:54
Tottenham Hotspur
5552
Sentences
• Attention seeker persons always looks for something to stun people.
• She left it late, but finally accepted marriage proposal.
• My wife lights up my life by cooking delicious Turkish meals :-)
• To spin away risk of market, portfolio should be diversified.
• Salespersons might be left out of the marketing team when they don't reach given target figures.
Footbal phrase suggestion:
• Opening Goal (First goal of the match)
07/07/2021
points
Coutinho played at the highest level during his time at Liverpool. The fans are certainlly satisfied about his performances and important (beautiful) goals he scored. He was the best brazilian player in the Premier League in 2014 for sure.
07/07/2021 18:50
Arsenal
1512
Coutinho played at the highest level during his time at Liverpool. The fans are certainlly satisfied about his performances and important (beautiful) goals he scored. He was the best brazilian player in the Premier League in 2014 for sure.
25/09/2020
points
A great guy! Now the CUP winner with Bayern. Keep rolling, Philipe!
25/09/2020 16:33
Liverpool
6562
A great guy! Now the CUP winner with Bayern. Keep rolling, Philipe!
22/06/2020
points
At that moment , Coutinho was the best.
22/06/2020 17:24
Manchester United
6536
At that moment , Coutinho was the best.
22/06/2020
points
Coutinho was a brilliant player but he lost his consistency due to the club changes and different football styles he's played in different clubs.
22/06/2020 17:23
Manchester United
6536
Coutinho was a brilliant player but he lost his consistency due to the club changes and different football styles he's played in different clubs.
20/12/2017
points
i think he will be Liverpool's star player this season. Yes, they will have a good season but they won't win, because Man Utd is the champion.
20/12/2017 13:45
Manchester United
180
i think he will be Liverpool's star player this season. Yes, they will have a good season but they won't win, because Man Utd is the champion.
18/11/2016
points
i think he will be Liverpool's star player
18/11/2016 18:41
Liverpool
154
i think he will be Liverpool's star player
19/07/2016
points
I think that Liverpool will have a great season
19/07/2016 15:01
Manchester City
1734
I think that Liverpool will have a great season
12/03/2016
points
Maybe.
No,I don't believe.
I think the best Brazilian midfielder is Felipe Melo.
12/03/2016 07:56
Leicester City
1761
Maybe.
No,I don't believe.
I think the best Brazilian midfielder is Felipe Melo.
06/12/2015
points
Klopp started building a team. He'll find a solution and I expect to see beautiful games of Liverpool in a year. Coutinho is a promising young player. Also, he's one of the best long distance shooting players.
06/12/2015 14:10
Arsenal
3557
Klopp started building a team. He'll find a solution and I expect to see beautiful games of Liverpool in a year. Coutinho is a promising young player. Also, he's one of the best long distance shooting players.
07/12/2015
points
A defeat at St. James Park is a good lesson for Klopp to learn while building his team.
07/12/2015 11:58
Arsenal
2453
A defeat at St. James Park is a good lesson for Klopp to learn while building his team.
23/11/2015
points
Both Willian and Coutinho show splendid performance are deservedly considered currently the best Brazilians in the PL. It's worth mentioning that The Reds' recent form proved that they are ready to compete for the title.
23/11/2015 11:41
Arsenal
2453
Both Willian and Coutinho show splendid performance are deservedly considered currently the best Brazilians in the PL. It's worth mentioning that The Reds' recent form proved that they are ready to compete for the title.
20/11/2015
points
Coutinho is the key player for Liverpool. His absence affect more the team
20/11/2015 07:02
Arsenal
2320
Coutinho is the key player for Liverpool. His absence affect more the team
12/11/2015
points
I think Coutinho will be Liverpool's star player.
He also involve in my favourite players in Liverpool. I think he is the best as I told.
I wish Liverpool will have a good season.
12/11/2015 06:23
Manchester United
257
I think Coutinho will be Liverpool's star player.
He also involve in my favourite players in Liverpool. I think he is the best as I told.
I wish Liverpool will have a good season.
03/11/2015
points
Willian is the best brazilian player at the moment. He is very fast and skillful.
03/11/2015 16:08
Arsenal
3557
Willian is the best brazilian player at the moment. He is very fast and skillful.
13/10/2015
points
I don't think he will be star player with the new deutch manager.
Yes Liverpool will end the season at the first half of the tableboard.
I think Willian is the more complet of the four.
13/10/2015 15:50
Manchester City
3988
I don't think he will be star player with the new deutch manager.
Yes Liverpool will end the season at the first half of the tableboard.
I think Willian is the more complet of the four.
27/09/2015
points
Yes he has, I really like his play style
I don't think the Reds will have a good season because they don't have good team .
Oscar and coutinho
27/09/2015 20:56
Chelsea
1814
Yes he has, I really like his play style
I don't think the Reds will have a good season because they don't have good team .
Oscar and coutinho
17/08/2015
points
Coutinho can surely be Liverpool's star player this season. As we saw in the match against Stoke, Philippe is a type of player who may have a big impact on the final result and change it by only one fantastic action. What I extremely like about him is that he keeps both feet on the ground and works really hard in the trainings. With the Brazilian in such a good form and new good quality like Clyne, Frimino or Benteke The Reds can obviously have a good season, surely much better than the previous one. Victory on such a difficult ground like Britannia Stadium must always be respected no matter how unattractive the winning team's play was, however I think that in today's match against Bournemouth Liverpool's performance is going to be much better (although I won't mind a small suprise made by underdogs ;)). Answering the last question, I think Oscar and Coutinho are both great offensive players but the second one has bigger impact on his team's play. I also can't ignore Fernandinho because he has much different role on the pitch and he is obviously one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
17/08/2015 19:21
Manchester United
146
Coutinho can surely be Liverpool's star player this season. As we saw in the match against Stoke, Philippe is a type of player who may have a big impact on the final result and change it by only one fantastic action. What I extremely like about him is that he keeps both feet on the ground and works really hard in the trainings. With the Brazilian in such a good form and new good quality like Clyne, Frimino or Benteke The Reds can obviously have a good season, surely much better than the previous one. Victory on such a difficult ground like Britannia Stadium must always be respected no matter how unattractive the winning team's play was, however I think that in today's match against Bournemouth Liverpool's performance is going to be much better (although I won't mind a small suprise made by underdogs ;)). Answering the last question, I think Oscar and Coutinho are both great offensive players but the second one has bigger impact on his team's play. I also can't ignore Fernandinho because he has much different role on the pitch and he is obviously one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
18/08/2015
points
Good comment, I completely agree with you. All of this Brazilians are fantastic, but for me Coutinho is the best without doubt, although this players doesn't play the same positions. This gameweek Fernandinho scored the goal for City. Yesterday underdog almost made a big surprise. Bournemouth were fantastic, pitch was great. Also football was great. I want to emphasize something: I'm impressed with the Scottish Matt Ritchie (brilliant player).
18/08/2015 11:02
West Ham United
538
Good comment, I completely agree with you. All of this Brazilians are fantastic, but for me Coutinho is the best without doubt, although this players doesn't play the same positions. This gameweek Fernandinho scored the goal for City. Yesterday underdog almost made a big surprise. Bournemouth were fantastic, pitch was great. Also football was great. I want to emphasize something: I'm impressed with the Scottish Matt Ritchie (brilliant player).
18/08/2015
points
Thanks, Rema. Good that you mentioned yesterday's match. The play from both teams was really nice to watch, but it was Bournemouth that suprised and impressed me the most. I didn't watch their match versus Aston Villa so I didn't know how they actually play but what I saw against Liverpool is brave and modern football, not that traditional English one which was typical for the expansion teams some time ago. The Cherries were unlucky in both matches and I hope that they won't wait long for the first ever points in the Premier League which they strongly deserve. And when I watched Matt Ritchie's play I instantly recalled Charlie Adam from 2010-11 season. Matt as well as Charlie did, plays for the weakest expansion team (in theory, of course), has the biggest impact on his team's play, is gifted with great skills including creativity, accurate cross or powerful shot and, what a coincidence, he represents Scotland! So I would say that Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie is like Blackpool's Charlie Adam :) Although it's going to be really hard, I strongly hope that The Cherries will manage to stay in the Premier League for next season so they have to start gaining points! Oh, and another reason why I support them is the fact that my compatriot Artur Boruc plays for them and he is an important part of the team.
18/08/2015 18:31
Manchester United
146
Thanks, Rema. Good that you mentioned yesterday's match. The play from both teams was really nice to watch, but it was Bournemouth that suprised and impressed me the most. I didn't watch their match versus Aston Villa so I didn't know how they actually play but what I saw against Liverpool is brave and modern football, not that traditional English one which was typical for the expansion teams some time ago. The Cherries were unlucky in both matches and I hope that they won't wait long for the first ever points in the Premier League which they strongly deserve. And when I watched Matt Ritchie's play I instantly recalled Charlie Adam from 2010-11 season. Matt as well as Charlie did, plays for the weakest expansion team (in theory, of course), has the biggest impact on his team's play, is gifted with great skills including creativity, accurate cross or powerful shot and, what a coincidence, he represents Scotland! So I would say that Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie is like Blackpool's Charlie Adam :) Although it's going to be really hard, I strongly hope that The Cherries will manage to stay in the Premier League for next season so they have to start gaining points! Oh, and another reason why I support them is the fact that my compatriot Artur Boruc plays for them and he is an important part of the team.
19/08/2015
points
Again great text. I have only one unclear in your text. I know what mean the term expansion, but in this case in this context I don't know: ( for the expansion teams and for the weakest expansion team ).
19/08/2015 11:26
West Ham United
538
Again great text. I have only one unclear in your text. I know what mean the term expansion, but in this case in this context I don't know: ( for the expansion teams and for the weakest expansion team ).
19/08/2015
points
Expansion team - in this context I mean a new team in the league. Bournemouth are the weakest expansion team so they are most likely to be relegated at the end of the season. I found that expression in a dictionary but unfortunately I'm not really sure whether it is correct. It would be great if Jack or Rich gave an explanation of that.
19/08/2015 14:24
Manchester United
146
Expansion team - in this context I mean a new team in the league. Bournemouth are the weakest expansion team so they are most likely to be relegated at the end of the season. I found that expression in a dictionary but unfortunately I'm not really sure whether it is correct. It would be great if Jack or Rich gave an explanation of that.
20/08/2015
points
I'd actually never heard of the term 'expansion team' but I've now read a little more about American sports and think I can give you an answer that will hopefully be useful :)
An expansion team is a new team in a closed league. Closed leagues are leagues with no promotion or relegation and the only way to get into the league is to be accepted as a new franchise. A team is usually accepted from a city that has no team in the league and the team can show that the sport is very popular in that city and can help the sport get bigger/expand - which is where the term 'expansion' comes from.
This type of closed league franchise system is popular in the USA in all sports and the MLS, one example could be a team from Miami owned by David Beckham!
In Europe, football operates with promotion and relegation so new teams in the league win promotion and are usually described as 'newly promoted' or we use a sentence like, 'Leicester, who won promotion in 2013/14.....'
The closest thing to a franchise or expansion team in England are the MK Dons/Wimbledon who play in the Championship, a controversial topic but a good story to research if you're interested.
20/08/2015 21:09
Liverpool
594
I'd actually never heard of the term 'expansion team' but I've now read a little more about American sports and think I can give you an answer that will hopefully be useful :)
An expansion team is a new team in a closed league. Closed leagues are leagues with no promotion or relegation and the only way to get into the league is to be accepted as a new franchise. A team is usually accepted from a city that has no team in the league and the team can show that the sport is very popular in that city and can help the sport get bigger/expand - which is where the term 'expansion' comes from.
This type of closed league franchise system is popular in the USA in all sports and the MLS, one example could be a team from Miami owned by David Beckham!
In Europe, football operates with promotion and relegation so new teams in the league win promotion and are usually described as 'newly promoted' or we use a sentence like, 'Leicester, who won promotion in 2013/14.....'
The closest thing to a franchise or expansion team in England are the MK Dons/Wimbledon who play in the Championship, a controversial topic but a good story to research if you're interested.
21/08/2015
points
Thank you Rich for responding, what you wrote is really interesting and helped me fully understand the term.
21/08/2015 20:10
Manchester United
146
Thank you Rich for responding, what you wrote is really interesting and helped me fully understand the term.
21/08/2015
points
Can you explain me more specific meaning of the term franchise? Where we can found the topic about MK Dons, is that topic within Premier Skills English? If I good understand the closed league is one league without concern, because teams can't be promoted or relegated. What's your opinion about closed league?
21/08/2015 11:05
West Ham United
538
Can you explain me more specific meaning of the term franchise? Where we can found the topic about MK Dons, is that topic within Premier Skills English? If I good understand the closed league is one league without concern, because teams can't be promoted or relegated. What's your opinion about closed league?
22/08/2015
points
A franchise is when a company gives the right or a license to use its name and products, for example McDonald's restaurants are franchises. Major League Soccer (MLS) gives franchises to clubs in its league to operate under the MLS name. I'm a bit of a traditionalist and don't think the idea of franchises is a good one and I don't think this model would work well in the Premier League or any European Leagues. You can find out more about MK Dons/Wimbledon here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relocation_of_Wimbledon_F.C._to_Milton_Keynes. After reading, can you tell me if it was MK Dons or Wimbledon that used to be in the Premier League and won the FA Cup in 1986?
22/08/2015 10:05
Liverpool
594
A franchise is when a company gives the right or a license to use its name and products, for example McDonald's restaurants are franchises. Major League Soccer (MLS) gives franchises to clubs in its league to operate under the MLS name. I'm a bit of a traditionalist and don't think the idea of franchises is a good one and I don't think this model would work well in the Premier League or any European Leagues. You can find out more about MK Dons/Wimbledon here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relocation_of_Wimbledon_F.C._to_Milton_Keynes. After reading, can you tell me if it was MK Dons or Wimbledon that used to be in the Premier League and won the FA Cup in 1986?
25/08/2015
points
That was Wimbldon and his Crazy Gang with legendary Vinnie Jones.
25/08/2015 15:38
West Ham United
538
That was Wimbldon and his Crazy Gang with legendary Vinnie Jones.
25/08/2015
points
Back in 1986 they were called Wimbledon and yes it was Vinnie Jones and the Crazy Gang! However, this team is now called MK Dons and plays in the Championship. The team called Wimbledon play in League 2 and is a new club, which was started by angry fans after the original Wimbledon/MK Dons moved to Milton Keynes.
25/08/2015 16:04
Liverpool
594
Back in 1986 they were called Wimbledon and yes it was Vinnie Jones and the Crazy Gang! However, this team is now called MK Dons and plays in the Championship. The team called Wimbledon play in League 2 and is a new club, which was started by angry fans after the original Wimbledon/MK Dons moved to Milton Keynes.
26/08/2015
points
I write Wimbldon instead of Wimbledon. Yes, I read on wikipedia that group of Wimbledon disaffected fans decide to create club and called him AFC Wimbledon. I think that' this relocation show classic example when "money talk".
26/08/2015 11:58
West Ham United
538
I write Wimbldon instead of Wimbledon. Yes, I read on wikipedia that group of Wimbledon disaffected fans decide to create club and called him AFC Wimbledon. I think that' this relocation show classic example when "money talk".
15/08/2015
points
Well, I am not that good at predictions, but I like the guy. So, let him me the star player of the season! )) Good luck, Philippe!
15/08/2015 11:18
Manchester United
0
Well, I am not that good at predictions, but I like the guy. So, let him me the star player of the season! )) Good luck, Philippe!
12/08/2015
points
What's the meaning of the phrase: "left it late"? I found two new words for me in the Brendan Rodgers interview. First word is resolute(adjective)- determined in character, ideas or action. Second word is one-off (adjective)- happening only once. My resource for these explanations was Cambridge Dictionary online.
12/08/2015 15:50
West Ham United
538
What's the meaning of the phrase: "left it late"? I found two new words for me in the Brendan Rodgers interview. First word is resolute(adjective)- determined in character, ideas or action. Second word is one-off (adjective)- happening only once. My resource for these explanations was Cambridge Dictionary online.
15/08/2015
points
Impressive! They actually answered your question in a podcast http://premierskillsenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/listen/podcasts/pr...
15/08/2015 11:26
Manchester United
0
Impressive! They actually answered your question in a podcast http://premierskillsenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/listen/podcasts/pr...
15/08/2015
points
Hi Rema, I guess 'left it late' means 'he left it till the very end' - in this case, till the very end of the match. I actually watched it and was almost sure it will finish 0:0
15/08/2015 11:17
Manchester United
0
Hi Rema, I guess 'left it late' means 'he left it till the very end' - in this case, till the very end of the match. I actually watched it and was almost sure it will finish 0:0
17/08/2015
points
Thanks for explanation.
17/08/2015 02:55
West Ham United
538
Thanks for explanation.