Coutinho isn’t feeling the extra pressure of being one of the club’s top players
There is no doubting that Daniel Sturridge is probably the most vital piece in Liverpool’s puzzle but considering his prolonged absences over the past 12 months, Coutinho has now become Liverpool’s most important man.
At just 23, the Brazilian is one of the hottest properties in the Premier League but the extra responsibility he now has at Anfield is not fazing the young midfielder star at all.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Coutinho said: “I think it’s more a case that everyone’s level of responsibility has gone up.
“A real leader has left, one of the club’s greatest players and an idol for all of us.
“I think everyone felt his absence a bit at the start, but Liverpool is now moving forward without Gerrard and we’re all pulling together in his absence.
“[But] in truth I don’t feel any extra pressure. Every time I step onto the pitch, I just want to do my best, to enjoy myself and to entertain Liverpool’s fans.
“I don’t think about the pressure, I just want to play football and help the team.”
The midfielder past 100 games for Liverpool at the end of last season, a season in which he stepped up by contributing 8 goals in all competitions with 7 assists, and has been set a target of more this season, something Gerrard himself started to do around the same age at Liverpool.
With such a young squad at Anfield these days, players such as ‘little Phil’ will be called upon to exert their influence and lead by example and that’s exactly what Coutinho has been doing since the turn of the year.
