Liverpool’s Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been the perfect replacement for last season’s star man for Liverpool Luis Suarez, says former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
The 37-year old Scouser applauded Coutinho’s recent match-winning performances.
The former defender believes Coutinho’s ability has been great benefit to Liverpool this season, stepping up to the high standards placed by Uruguayan Suarez over the past few seasons.
The rewards keep piling in for Coutinho as the Brazilian was named John Terry’s PFA Player of the Year.
“We expect him in a wide area, but we saw some of his touches tonight and his ability in small spaces against players, some of the pieces of play he produced tonight.
“Last season Luis Suarez was Liverpool’s main man, the go-to man. But as this season has progressed, and for the future, Coutinho is Liverpool’s.
Carragher continued: “I don’t think that false nine role will be his. Obviously Sturridge is out. But we’ve seen him behind the front, the main striker tonight, and he was outstanding.
“He’s getting to that stage now where you put him up against Cazorla, Ozil, Mata, those type of players that play between the lines.
“We always throw goals and assists against them, and Coutinho has improved on that this season.
“He’s now the man where every time the ball goes to him we think: ‘Something is going to happen here’.
“When Liverpool were going for the title last year I still was not convinced he was a real top player, but he’s getting really close now.
“He looks the best player every week."
