Philippe Coutinho has revealed how he is hitting the gym in
a bid to become a fully-fledged Barclays Premier League star.
The Brazilian has impressed since moving to Liverpool from
Inter Milan in January, claiming one goal and two assists in three starts.
Though satisfied with how things have gone so far, Coutinho
is undergoing extra work in order to come to terms with the physical nature of
the English game.
He 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 Brazilian league.
He's well placed, therefore, to discuss the different styles
of play in each country.
"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."
Coutinho already appears to have struck up an understanding
with South American compatriot Luis Suarez - a man whose talents he believes
are not of this world.
"Suarez is phenomenal - he is otherworldly," said
the No.10. "The goals he scores, the way he gives himself to the team...
It is very important and I am very happy to be able to play next to him.
"I think it's the way he gives himself to the team - he
fights all the time and chases all the time. He doesn't let one ball go - even
if it's the hardest one.
"He fights all the time to win and I admire that in a
player. I think it is one of his strong points.
"I'm not only happy to play next to him, but also other
players like Steven [Gerrard], who is phenomenal, too. These are guys from
another world!"
Despite feeling as though he still has much more to offer,
Coutinho could hardly have wished for a better start to Anfield life.
He concluded: "I'm very happy here. I am at a great
club, I am wearing a shirt that has a great history and what I have noticed in
the last few weeks here is that the whole group is very united, strong and
fights for their aims. I hope I can learn more and more with my teammates
here."
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