Liverpool Transfer News: New Deal Will Afford Philippe Coutinho Time to Flourish

Some players burst onto the scene at such a tender age, it’s often easy to forget just how young they are as their progress is tracked and forensically analysed.

Philippe Coutinho is a gifted playmaker who shone in patches for Internazionale in Serie A, but following a move to Liverpool, the then 20-year-old caught the eye with his majestic intricacy and patent for a stunning through ball.

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Now a 22-year-old who's a key part of this Liverpool set-up, it’d be fair to say the young Brazilian hasn’t quite the reached heights promised during that sensational opening to life in the iconic red strip. But the player has spoken of his desire to extend his stay with the Reds and sample Champions League nights at Anfield, per the Sun on Sunday (h/t Sky Sports):

"

I’d be happy to analyse a new contract. It is very important for me to play in the Champions League but staying does not rely only on that. It relies on other things, like being happy.

I have heard a lot about the European nights at this club. I can only imagine the atmosphere will be fabulous, because it seems to me that the atmosphere at Anfield is always fabulous, even for ordinary games in the afternoon.

"

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Qualification for the Champions League and the sale of Luis Suarez sparked a summer of frenetic transfer activity at the Anfield club, and subsequently, the Reds have stuttered to two wins and two defeats from their opening four games.

Focusing on Coutinho, individually he’s had a very difficult start to the campaign. The spark that engrossed supporters and teased defences during his early spells at Liverpool seems to be lacking at the moment, and frustration seems to be probing him into trying too hard to force openings.

Bleacher Report’s Vince Siu is worried by the player’s current form:

But there’s no denying that Coutinho, given the playing time, can blossom into one of the finest midfield players in England’s top flight. And although last season was punctured by some injury concerns, there were signs that he’s beginning to get up to speed with the robust nature of the English game.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was happy to deploy the diminutive Brazilian in an orthodox midfield position for long periods of the campaign, and Coutinho’s marriage of industry and intricacy was vital in the Reds' unexpected push for a Premier League title.

He was a key provider for the mercurial striking duo of Daniel Sturridge and Suarez too, as WhoScored.com notes here:

The former Inter man also chipped in with some vital goals for the Reds, most notably the winning strike in that stunning 3-2 win over Manchester City. But even before that, Coutinho bagged the opener not only in the corresponding clash at the Etihad, but he also scored the first in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Everton in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.

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For a player who’s been in England for less than two years, Coutinho’s start to life in the Premier League can only be viewed in a positive light. And while he may currently be lacking the swagger that made him such an intimidating opponent during his first two campaigns, given his surfeit of ability, there’s little doubt his best form will eventually return.

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And let’s not forget, he’s still a very young player, and young players’ early developments are typically rife with various peaks and troughs.

A show of faith in their No. 10 from the club in the form of a brand new lucrative contract could be exactly what Coutinho needs to inject some impetus into his own and Liverpool’s early season performances.

It’ll be a shrewd investment, for it’s undeniable that the talent is there when it comes to Coutinho. And even though Liverpool have a surfeit of classy midfielders in their ranks, it’s vital that they continue to accommodate the vision, touch and quality of the Brazilian international. For those of a red persuasion, hopefully that’ll be the case for a long time yet.