Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Smart to Bid for Midfielder Philippe Coutinho

If Liverpool's acquisition of 23-year-old Daniel Sturridge has proven anything thus far (three goals in his first three matches with the club), it's that adding promising young talent is the best route for Brendan Rodgers and the Reds right now.

That is why Liverpool was wise to put in a bid for another talented youngster. According to the Daily Mail's Simon Jones, the Reds "have launched an £8 million bid for Inter Milan’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho."

Coutinho, who is best suited playing an attacking midfielder role or a position similar, is just 20 years old and possesses tremendous potential, which Rodgers should be able to uncover in time.

Coutinho made his professional debut for Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in 2009 and has gotten more and more comfortable with club football in Europe since moving to Inter Milan in 2010.

Used mostly as a substitute for Inter this season, Coutinho has one goal on 15 shots in 10 Italian Serie A appearances. He's made three Serie A starts for the club in 2012-13, but his form hasn't always been up to snuff.

His struggles aren't surprising, however, as his talent must still be developed. Coutinho isn't a player who's going to come on and make an instant impact for the Reds. He wouldn't even be one of the club's better options in midfield at this moment. But acquiring him would bring tremendous hope for the future and the potential to possess a long-term star at the position.

Rodgers and the Liverpool coaching staff will have time to work with Coutinho and move him around the pitch in order to see where he excels.

Plus, waiting around for a proven playmaker hardly seems logical. As Jones reported, the Reds aren't likely to land Tom Ince or Wesley Sneijder before the January transfer window closes at the end of the month. Pursuing Coutinho shows that Liverpool is serious about winning the Premier League on multiple occasions in the years to come and avoid becoming a one-hit wonder.

Chasing down Philippe Coutinho is smart. It means the Reds aren't aiming to spend irresponsible amounts of money on big-name talent in order to put the club back on the map for a few weeks or months.

Bidding and perhaps eventually acquiring Coutinho proves the club is doing the right thing, attempting to attain and develop pieces in an effort to become a greater football force in England.

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