Philippe Coutinho has provisionally agreed to extend his contract with Liverpool, and should put pen to paper in the coming days.
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The 22 year-old has been one of Brendan Rodgers’ two most effective signings since he took over the Reds job, with Daniel Sturridge the other, and the hope is that he will go from strength to strength at Anfield.
One statistic that has concerned Liverpool fans is Coutinho’s relatively meagre total of goals and assists; although the Brazilian set up both goals in last weekend’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United, that still only brought his total to four assists and two goals in the Premier League this term.
However, Rodgers remains unconcerned by those figures, suggesting Coutinho’s future will be slightly deeper than his number ten shirt suggests.
“The type of player you look at is Modric – he doesn’t have a big goalscoring record but he is a world class player,” said Rodgers.
“He is a continuity player, a top class player who can create the game and so importantly, opens the door for the team in the centre of midfield. Toni Kroos is another of that type of wonderful footballer – great passer.
“Those two maybe don’t get as many goal as their technique suggests, but that goes back to their role in the team, to sit behind the ball and serve the ball and create the game for others – not necessarily to score 15 or 20 goals a season.
“Phil’s numbers will improve, but it’s not the be all and end all if he doesn’t get 15 or 20, his functions are elsewhere in the team.”
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