A 16-year-old tousle-haired attacking-midfielder was making waves in Brazil with Vasco da Gama. Coutinho was subject of widespread interest, with clubs from all over Europe circling for the kids’ signature. Inter Milan reached a €4m agreement a year before his 18th birthday, after which he would be entitled to fly to Italy.
Coutinho arrived at the Giuseppe Meazza to join an ageing squad that had just won the Treble. Comprising of seasoned veterans in Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stanković, Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso reaching pinnacles of their careers, the likes of Mario Balotelli, Marko Arnautović and Lorenzo Crisetig were touted as possible replacements.
In came the tender Coutinho, to join the promising batch, with an aid to shoulder Nerazzurri’s current success forward.
Massimo Moratti described him as “The future of Inter”, Lucio became a father-like figure, and manager Rafa Benitez was quick to thrust his confidence in the teenager.
He showed his glimpses of class in his first season, most notably in the 2011 Champions League round of 16 against Bayern Munich, where his exhibition of poise and maturity in two of Inter’s three goals on the night helped them overturn a first-leg 1-3 loss, to win 2-3 on the night.
Having already played under two managers in his first season, the irregular faith shown by his third manager Claudio Ranieri saw him shipped out on loan to Espanyol.
That is where Coutinho realized his real potential. With the Spanish club, he had an admirer in Mauricio Pochettino, and the freedom to express himself. It was perhaps no surprise that the Argentinian was keen on landing his former apprentice at Southampton when he took charge of the South Coast club.
To add to his successful Spanish sojourn, Philippinho also won the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup with the young Seleção, enhancing his reputation. It was followed by the Trofeo TIM triumph, where he proved to be the match-winner in the final against Juventus, and also being named player of the tournament.
For a man seen as Wesley Sneijder’s worth replacement, things didn’t pan as per expected after that for him. The managerial wavering continued in Coutinho’s stay at Inter, with him playing under as many as five managers. To say that the Brazilian failed at Inter would be a tad too rasping. He arrived when the club was in a state of transition; incoming managers coming with a sense of insecurity, reluctant to trust young players.
Fast forward today, Coutinho is seldom running the show for Liverpool. Sunday’s exquisite match-winner precisely proved why then Inter manager Andrea Stramaccioni branded the 22-year-old’s departure as a “painful sale”
After all the struggles faced by the Merseysiders at the start of the season, Coutinho’s spirited form has coincided with Liverpool’s re-emergence as a contender for the top four.
Coutinho has excelled in Brendan Rodgers’ 3-4-3 tweak. Earlier in the campaign, Rodgers’ 4-2-3-1 ploy was predictable and had lacked penetration. A back three has provided Liverpool with some much needed solidarity in defense, while the front three have blossomed, allowing them to run at the defences, and create space for the wing-backs.
Along with his penchant for spectacular that he showcased against Manchester City, Southampton and Bolton, Coutinho has popped up with crucial assists. His overhead flick to set-up Raheem Sterling’s goal against Burnley turned out decisive as they snatched all three points in what looked a dire outing for the Reds.
Furthermore his telepathic combination with another spirited youngster in Raheem Sterling has proved imperative on numerous occasions for Liverpool. The duo in tandem blew away West Ham, with the uncanny Brazilian crafting both the goals.
The Reds have revamped their results since the turn of the year, going on an unbeaten 9 game streak, and unsurprisingly, Coutinho has started in all of the games.
While Liverpool’s quest for a top four continues, one man has come a long way, from inconsistent to irregular, from outcast to pivotal.
