Brendan Rodgers reckons his former protege Philippe Coutinho remains "world-class" and believes he is ideally suited to the Premier League after admitting his surprise at the Brazilian's struggles in Barcelona.
Rodgers bought Coutinho aged 20 from Inter Milan in January 2013 for £8.5million and turned him into the most expensive player in the world. Former Anfield boss Rodgers rates Coutinho so highly he admits he was surprised the attacking ace wasn’t a bigger hit in Spain after a £142m move from Liverpool four years ago.
But Leicester chief Rodgers is pleased to see Coutinho regain his confidence and form back in England after a January loan to Aston Villa to be reunited with Steven Gerrard, his old Liverpool captain. Coutinho, 29, has since shone on the pitch with four goals and three assists in 12 games already to make Villa keen to keep him permanently.
