A dream that Philippe Coutinho has been considering since joining Liverpool almost two years ago will become reality in two days time, when he discovers the atmosphere of a Champions League evening at Anfield. The Brazilian playmaker has been inundated with stories of the sights and sounds of European nights at the Reds home ground throughout his time here, providing added inspiration to help the club book a return to that level. He did so too, playing a crucial role in the run that carried Brendan Rodgers team to the brink of a Barclays Premier League title last season and ensured automatic qualification for the group stage of the elite competition. Augusts draw pitted Liverpool alongside holders Real Madrid, Swiss outfit FC Basel and Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad, with the latter the visitors when the campaign gets underway on home soil this Tuesday. Coutinho cannot wait. I have heard a lot about the European nights at this club, said the 22-year-old, who arrived from Inter Milan in January 2013. I can only imagine the atmosphere will be fabulous, because it seems to me that the atmosphere at Anfield is always fabulous, even for ordinary games in the afternoon. I am aware of Liverpools history in the competition as well and the players are just as excited as the fans at being back in the event. We are confident we can make it to the next stage but we know it will be tough. Not just against Real Madrid but Ludogorets and Basel too. We are looking forward to getting off to a good start and we know we will have the fans behind us. I believe we have a strong squad, new players have been brought in and we are in a good position to perform well in the Champions League. Many of Coutinhos colleagues will be experiencing the Champions League for the first time in their career as Liverpool end a five-year absence from a tournament that they have won on five separate occasions. Among them is Raheem Sterling, a fellow youngster who came of age in the pulsating 2013-14 campaign and has too become a key cog in Rodgers carefully crafted engine. He is in a very good moment and he is in great shape, said the No.10. I have been hearing people talking about his performance for England the other night. I cannot say I am surprised because we train together every day. I know his potential and I know the pace he has. I do not have the speed to catch him! It was a good season for the whole team, not just the two of us. I believe I took the next step, which was good for me, but it was just as pleasing that the team as a whole was capable of doing what the manager was asking. I think Liverpool as a club is taking the next step and it is great to be a part of it. #Braydo
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:18:49 +0000
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