The Liverpool manager is expecting Brazilian Philippe Coutinho to get even better as a playmaker.
Brendan Rodgers believes that Phillipe Coutinho could go on to be a top playmaker, reports the Daily Mail.
Coutinho has recently signed a new long-term deal with the Reds, tying him down to the club until 2020.
Now, the Liverpool manager has said that the Brazilian has all the attributes to go on and become a similar player to the likes of Real Madrid duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and isn’t worried about his goal scoring record either.
The Brazilian currently has two goals and four assists this season, but Rodgers isn’t concerned as long as he fulfils his potential, and hopefully develops into a player akin to the Real Madrid pair.
“If you look at that type of player he is, you look at Modric,” said Rodgers.
“He doesn’t have a big goal scoring record, but he is a world-class player, a continuity player. Toni Kroos is another of that type; a wonderful footballer and great passer. Their role is not to score 20 a season. Phil’s numbers will improve, but it is not the be all and end all if he doesn’t get 20 a season.”
Just like those two players, who helped Madrid to their tenth Champions League triumph last summer, with Kroos adding a World Cup with his country as well, Rodgers believes Coutinho’s game is about creating chances for the team.
He trusts that the 22-year-old’s threat in the final third will increase with experience, but already he has started to take more responsibility in the side, especially in their attacking endeavours.
“His game is about making and creating the goals,” added Rodgers.
“As he gets more experienced he will understand better and there will be other players to make those final passes and that will allow him to penetrate further forward. He has a wonderful strike on him, so it will be about arriving into areas where he can make movements without the ball.”
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