Former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia has claimed that Barcelona aren’t used to seeing players like Philippe Coutinho – hailing him as ‘special’.
Garcia, who is currently an ambassador for Barcelona, was speaking to Spanish outlet, AS, and compared Coutinho to Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta, praising his match-winning abilities.
He said: “Coutinho is similar to Iniesta and he’s also a goal scorer which you need from your midfielders. Sometimes I think we lack someone who can alleviate the pressure on Messi and Suárez and Phil can do that.
“We haven’t been used to seeing players like Coutinho, who can break a deadlocked game with one shot on goal. He’s vital to the team.”
Coutinho has made a positive start to life at Barcelona since his move from Liverpool in January – reportedly worth up to £142m – scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances and already securing a La Liga winners medal and a Copa Del Rey title – his first silverware since the 2011 Coppa Italia with Inter Milan.
And Garcia, who played for both Barcelona and Liverpool, also thinks that the Catalonian club will see the very best of Coutinho this season.
He added: “He was a little shy at first – in the first two games I don’t think he even had a shot on goal. He started out looking a little lost but ended the season wanting the ball and conducting play.
“I think people are going to see the best of Coutinho. And when rivals come out to try and block him from having a shot, that opens up all kinds of possibilities for Luis Suárez.”
Barcelona kick off their domestic season next Sunday with a Spanish Super Cup clash with Sevilla.
The post Barcelona aren’t used to seeing players like Philippe Coutinho – Luis Garcia appeared first on Squawka News.
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