Liverpool Burnley: Philippe Coutinho could get 'rough' treatment from fans - Danny Mills

LIVERPOOL fans could give Philippe Coutinho a "rough time" this afternoon in the game against Burnley.

Philippe Coutinho stuns fans with 15-minute cameo for Brazil

That is the view of BBC Sport pundit and former England defender Danny Mills.

Coutinho is making his first Premier League appearance of the season for Liverpool, starting against Sean Dyche's Burnley.

The Brazilian came off the bench in the 2-2 Champions League draw against Sevilla on Tuesday, his first outing of the campaign in any competition for the Reds.

Coutinho wanted a move away from the club in the summer with Barcelona making three unsuccesful bids for him.

Philippe Coutinho Liverpool BurnleyBBC

Liverpool Burnley: Philippe Coutinho could get a rough ride today, says Danny Mills

It’s a big afternoon for Philippe Coutinho

Danny Mills on Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho

Mills reckons a below-par performance against Burnley could get the fans on his back.

“Where Coutinho plays is going to be interesting,” Mills told the BBC.

“You’ve got the front three, you’ve got (James) Milner, you’ve got (Emre) Can, who I’d expect to play as two holding players in the centre of the park and maybe Coutinho just in front of them behind the front three. 

“It’s a big afternoon for Philippe Coutinho

BBC Sport Liverpool BurnleyBBC

Liverpool Burnley: BBC Sport pundit Mills says Philippe Coutinho must play well today

“He needs to show Liverpool fans, players and the whole football club that he is serious. 

“If he is a little bit off the pace for whatever reason, rustiness, lack of match practice, the fans I think will give him a little bit of a rough time.”

Daniel Sturridge was also named in the Liverpool starting XI, coming in for the suspended Sadio Mane.

Burnley took the lead in the first half at Anfield through Scott Arfield, but Mohamed Salah equalised shortly after.

Coutinho was replaced after 79 minutes by Dominic Solanke.

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