Latest news with #Coutinho
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Richard Hughes ready to agree deal to sign NEXT Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho
That's because by all accounts, including Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are ready to agree a club record fee with Bayer Leverkusen in order to sign Florian Wirtz. And the 22-year-old is someone who can replace both Coutinho and Firmino. He has the ability to play as a no.10 and become Liverpool's Coutinho with his delicate touches, creative flair and ability to score long-range efforts from outside the opposition's box. Out of his last 10 goals in all competitions, 40% of them were scored from outside the box. Like Coutinho, he thrives in tight spaces and loves taking players on. He has completed the most take-ons (81) in the Bundesliga this season. But he's not just a no.10. Wirtz is tactically flexible. He can play further forward in a false nine role as well - similar to Firmino. Wirtz has the tactical intelligence to play in a false nine set-up. He's done it before at club, and international level. His finishing ability combined with the way he can link-up with his teammates and provide assists would allow him to take-up a Firmino role in Slot's side. On top of that he also provides the same infectious work-rate off the ball. Just as his former coach Markus Daun told Anfield Watch. "He has incredibly good athletic ability, extreme endurance and good fitness. I think that's the basis of his ability and one of his strengths. One he performs week in, week out," Daun said. The data backs this up as well. He has won the most possessions in the opposition's final third (71) in the Bundesliga this season. And he also covered the third most distances in the Bundesliga (11.6km per 90) for Bayer Leverkusen.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Philippe Coutinho interview is stopped after GUNSHOTS are heard at his side's training ground - as former Liverpool midfielder's loan from Aston Villa takes a shock turn
An interview involving former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho had to be paused after gunshots were heard at his latest side's training ground. The Brazilian has spent the season on loan in his native Brazil, playing for Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro in Serie A while still technically contracted to Aston Villa. He has suffered a tough time since leaving Liverpool for Barcelona in 2018, initially moving for £130million. After just a few months of struggling to settle, he headed on loan to Bayern Munich, but things didn't work out there either. Another loan spell would see him enjoy a brief career revival under former Reds team-mate Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, and his move was made permanent, with Villa coughing up £17m for his services. Things soon went south, however, and last season he went on loan to Al Duhail in Qatar before heading to Brazil for this campaign. He will almost certainly be released by Villa when his contract expires at the end of next season, if nothing is agreed before that. He may now want to think twice about heading back to Vasco da Gama, though, after his interview was paused due to some background noise. In the clip of the interview with Brazilian TV channel Globo, Coutinho could be seen speaking before the gunshots were heard, resulting in a smirk. He then began laughing, before continuing the interview, when more shots were heard. While still talking, Coutinho closed his eyes before laughing again. The midfielder then appeared to talk to someone behind the camera before his smile dropped and he began pointing to seemingly try and work out where they were coming from. More than 20 shots in total were heard during the 32-second clip. According to Globo, the training ground - Moacyr Barbosa - was opened in 2020 and is located near Cidade de Deus, which is a region that has seen a high number of violent incidents in recent years. Club staff have described hearing gunshots as normal, with the noise suggested to be due to the heavy presence of police in the area. Coutinho's side last won a trophy in 2011, and are currently 13th in the Brazilian top flight.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Coutinho forced to pause interview as loud gunshots heard at training ground
Philippe Coutinho was compelled to halt an interview due to the sound of gunfire near his location. Currently on loan at Brazilian Serie A team Vasco da Gama, based in Rio de Janeiro, Coutinho had to pause his conversation with a reporter from Brazilian TV channel Globo when the loud noise erupted. The midfielder began his career with Vasco da Gama and returned to them on loan from Aston Villa last summer. He has since made 23 appearances across all competitions, netting five goals and providing two assists. Vasco's last major trophy win was the Copo do Brasil in 2011, while they clinched the Copa Libertadores back in 1998. This season, however, hasn't seen similar success, with Fernando Diniz's squad currently sitting 13th in the Brazilian top-flight. During the interview on Thursday, Coutinho initially paused when the shots rang out before turning around with a grin and making a joke. His team-mates Leo Jardim and Nuno Moreira, who were also being interviewed, laughed following the incident. According to Globo, Vasco's Moacyr Barbosa training base, which opened in 2020, is situated near Cidade de Deus, an area notorious for its high number of violent incidents in recent years, reports the Mirror. Club staff have described the sound of gunshots and helicopters at the training centre as normal, attributing it to police operations in the region. Vasco have heavily invested in their training base. The club is sprucing up their facilities with the addition of a swimming pool and hot tub to bolster their players' rehabilitation. Plans are also in motion to erect the president's office, a sizeable meeting room, and an exclusive area for the coaching squad. Supporters were taken aback by the nonchalance of three players during a shootout. A spectator commented online: "And he kept going like nothing happened." Another shared online: "Proper Brazilian experience." Meanwhile, a third voiced: "Embarrassing. They have to move the training centre out of the middle of this favela. It's embarrassing. For the love of God." Yet another remarked: "This is normal day in Rio de Janiero." While one more exclaimed: "South America really is something else." Another quipped: "Bro didn't even flinch." One final view from a fan: "This is Rio without makeup, not what the authorities try to sell to outsiders. Most Cariocas survive daily under these conditions of imminent risk when leaving their homes. Devastating and revolting."
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Philippe Coutinho interview stopped after gunshots heard at training ground
Philippe Coutinho has spent the past year back in his native Brazil, but his current club Vasco da Gama have endured a number of close calls with violent incidents Philippe Coutinho was forced to pause an interview after loud gunfire could be heard from its location. Coutinho is currently on loan at Brazilian Serie A side Vasco da Gama, based in Rio de Janeiro. The midfielder started his career with the club and joined them on loan from Aston Villa last summer. He has made 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and notching two assists. Vasco last won a major trophy in 2011 with the Copo do Brasil, while they won the Copa Libertadores back in 1998. This season has not reached those heights, with Fernando Diniz's side sitting 13th in the Brazilian top-flight. On Thursday, Coutinho was called upon to deliver an interview with Brazilian TV channel Globo. But midway through the 32-year-old's conversation with the reporter, the loud sound of gunfire could be heard. Coutinho at first paused when the shots cracked out before turning around grinning and making a joke. His team-mates Leo Jardim and Nuno Moreira were also being interviewed and both also laughed after the incident. According to Globo, Vasco's Moacyr Barbosa training base was opened in 2020 and is located near Cidade de Deus, a region that has seen a high number of violent incidents in recent years. Club staff have described the noise of gunshots and helicopters at the training centre as being normal, the result of police operations in the region. Vasco have invested heavily in their training base. That includes the construction of a swimming pool and hot tub to aid the recovery of their players. They also have plans to build the president's office, a large meeting room and a space reserved exclusively for the coaching staff. Fans were amazed that the reaction of the three players towards the gunfire. One observer wrote: "And he kept going like nothing happened." Another posted: "Proper Brazilian experience." A third added: "Embarrassing. They have to move the training centre out of the middle of this favela. It's embarrassing. For the love of God." A fourth said: "This is normal day in Rio de Janiero." A fifth said: "South America really is something else." Another added: "Bro didn't even flinch." A final fan concluded: "This is Rio without makeup, not what the authorities try to sell to outsiders. Most Cariocas survive daily under these conditions of imminent risk when leaving their homes. Devastating and revolting."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool FINALLY line-up deal to replace Philippe Coutinho
By Bence Bocsak © IMAGO - Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool That's why Liverpool are prepared to go big on Florian Wirtz and are lining up a move to sign him. It's clear the money is there to be spent on the German international, who might just be the closest thing to Coutinho since he left the club. Advertisement It's the way he moves on the pitch, the positions that he takes up. All of it reminds us of Coutinho's best and final version under Jurgen Klopp. That came during the first half of the 2017/18 season, when Coutinho buckled down and struck up a formidable quartet with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. During that first half of the season, Liverpool played the best attacking football we have ever seen the Reds play. It was probably the ultimate peak of Klopp's gegenpressing. Now, it looks like finally Richard Hughes and the recruitment team are looking to bring those exciting times back. Wirtz will give Liverpool's attack a new dimension. He's probably going to come in as a no.10 and not as a false nine, if he does come in of course. There are barriers that Liverpool will have to overcome. Advertisement But if those barriers can be overcome, if Wirtz can be swayed, then the potential is enormous. He's got the creativity to fill the void left behind by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Wirtz averages the second most key passes (1.16 per 90) and the third most expected assists (0.26 per 90) in the Bundesliga this season. This was always one of Coutinho's best abilities. He could pick up the ball, create openings and find his teammates in space. Wirtz's movement in those half-spaces and in and around the opposition's final third is what makes him one of the most exciting young players in European football right now. Advertisement Like Coutinho, he's also got a goal threat, and not just from short but long-range as well. Out of his last 10 goals in all competitions, four of them have come outside the opposition's area. His ability to cut in from the left side onto his right foot is eerily reminiscent of Coutinho being able to do the same and score some absolute worldies for Liverpool.
