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Why This Liverpool Youngster Has Been The Most Improved Premier League Midfielder In Recent Times

Following a mediocre start to the season, Philippe Coutinho has transformed into one of the league’s outstanding midfielders since and has played a key role in Liverpool’s resurgence.

It was a goal of true beauty and one that was so crucial to his side as they look to shore up a top four spot. The young Brazilians’ winner against Manchester City on Sunday acted as just another reminder of what a wonderful little player he is becoming. It came off the back of a similarly spectacular effort against Southampton the week before, which also won Premier League goal of the month for February. Watchers of the league though, are gradually becoming accustomed to this kind of magic from the young midfielder now, so such a goal was not as much as surprise as an expectation.

However, it hasn’t just been his goals which have propelled him to star status at Anfield, but also his all-round play. Coutinho has been pulling the strings for the Red Men during the past few months and has caused many a defence major headaches through his trickery and guile. He doesn’t only possess fantastic technique and ball control, but has quick feet and fantastic vision to boot. The former Inter Milan man, can attack defenses with his pace and dribbling ability, but can also pick out a key pass.

Furthermore, he has developed into this caliber of player at just the right time in his short career. He had started like a house on fire at Liverpool on arrival from Italy, but has lacked consistency since. An average start to the season, doubled with the side’s poor from early on in the campaign, mounted ever more pressure on his young shoulders. Although his emergence has coincided with their recovery since, which now sees them eyeing up a top 4 spot and a possible jolt at FA Cup glory.

Brendan Rodgers is developing quite a reputation for improving young players after the effect he has had on the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Ibe and Daniel Sturridge so far on Merseyside. It would appear that Coutinho is also reaping the benefits of working under the Northern Irishman and as countryman Neymar suggested, he could well go on to become the Premier League’s best player. The signs are certainly positive considering the top form of such a young man.

The main improvement in his game has undoubtedly been his end product. Before he would look busy and would make things happen, but would often see many passes intercepted or lack the required finish in front of goal. However, that is all beginning to change somewhat and he has improved his goal scoring ratio – previously the most criticised aspects of his game. He isn’t just adding more goals to the team, but has been scoring them at the most crucial of times – the opener v Arsenal, the winner v Bolton in the FA Cup, the opener in a crucial top 4 clash v Southampton and a dramatic late clincher v Manchester City most recently. He is in fact turning into Liverpool’s main match winner in the wake of Luis Suarez’s summer sale to Barcelona.

On the defensive side of the game, he still has to improve and track back more I hasten to add. That aside, though he is becoming the complete player from an offensive point of view and represents all the qualities of a typical Rodgers player. The Brazilian has transformed into a player that can now dominate and make a real mark on the big games, as seen against City, as opposed to just being a promising talent. Vincent Kompany simply couldn’t handle him on Sunday, as seen for the opening goal and he really did run the game. It is also worth pointing out that the Premier League suits him to the ground. Coutinho has really profited from the extra spaces and the quicker style of player in England, flourishing in a way Serie A ensured he wouldn’t. He still needs to make considerable improvements to become ranked amongst the world’s best, but as this stage, he most definitely has all the tools needed to achieve such a feet.