Still only 16, Inter agreed to loan Coutinho back to Vasco da Gama until he turned 18. During his loan spell, he broke into Vasco’s first team, helping the team to promotion from Brazil’s second division in 2009. In the same year, he also played a pivotal role in Brazil’s triumph in the Under 17 South American Championships.
After two seasons with Vasco, he returned to his parent club Inter in 2010 to start the 2010/11 season under new coach Rafael Benitez. Seen as the future of Inter, Rafa utilised Coutinho very early on, and played him regularly from August to November, including making an appearance in the European Super Cup as a late substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
After the sacking of Benitez in December, Coutinho has only started two more games this season for the Italian club. He was substituted at half time versus Palermo at the end of January, and has been used sparingly as a substitute, until last weekend when he started Inter’s 3-1 victory over Fiorentina after returning from injury. During the match he scored his first goal for the club with a well taken free kick. It will be interesting to see what happens to the player in the summer.
Follow us on twitter @live4Liverpool or like us on Facebook
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Robbie Savage Baby Scan:
I have a few opportunities to watch this kid playing and I think he is surely talented. More recent impressive was his amazing free kick against Fiorentina this past weekend. Therefore if Liverpool can actually get him at a cut price and the ability of King Kenny to get the best of youngstars then there might be a surprise for waiting for us.
i really like this player he is wonderful to watch i have seen him play in champions league and he was wonderful he came on as a sub again bayern in last few minutes and changed the match so for 10mill will take him anyday so kenny dont miss this guy he can tear the defence of any team so go for him