Steven Gerrard has claimed Philippe Coutinho has raised his level in training ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leeds United. Coutinho was omitted from the latest Brazil squad in September after a poor start to the season that is yet to conjure up a goal or assist.
Last month’s matches were international sides’ final opportunity to play together before the World Cup in November and so the players left out have a big task over the next month and a half to convince managers they deserve to be selected.
Coutinho is certainly someone who fits that bill and his first chance to impress Brazil boss Tite is on Sunday against Leeds. Speaking ahead of the match, Gerrard thinks Villa have already ‘seen a different’ player in training sessions since his omission as Coutinho knows he has to be at his best in the coming weeks to be on the plane to Qatar.
READ MORE: Victor Orta's role in four-man Leeds United set-up highlighted as Marsch makes Chelsea admission
Via Express and Star, he said: “He’s very honest and self-critical. He knows he hasn’t been at his best level. He also knows if he has any ambitions of going to the World Cup, his form has to be consistent until then. He has to be close to the best level of Philippe Coutinho.
“Since he was omitted from the Brazil squad, we have seen a different level of performance. I think Phil is very much in their thinking. It was a combination why he was left out, it’s about your form – it’s always about your form – but the coaches know Phil inside out.
“They know what he can do. They know he has a high level of experience – he has tournament experience – maybe it was an opportunity for them to try different things.
“What I do know is that since he was omitted from the squad we’ve seen a different Phil Coutinho.”
READ NEXT:
- Jesse Marsch cuts through Llorente vs Cooper and Kristensen vs Ayling noise
- Leeds United injury list and return dates as Whites feel benefit of pre-Aston Villa break
- Steven Gerrard forced into 'frustrating' injury update before Aston Villa's trip to Leeds United
- Leeds United injury news as Jesse Marsch delivers encouraging update ahead of Aston Villa clash
- Leeds United fans slam 'disgraceful' Liverpool fixture change that causes travel issues
