Liverpool 'blessed' to have Philippe Coutinho says Rio Ferdinand after Leicester win... as Steven Gerrard admits he 'wouldn't go near' forward in training for fear of being embarrassed

  • Philippe Coutinho was widely expected to leave Liverpool in the summer
  • He stayed and scored a free kick and claimed an assist in their win at Leicester
  • Coutinho is a blessing to a Liverpool side lucky to have him, said Rio Ferdinand
  • Ex-Reds captain Steven Gerrard said he used to avoid the Brazilian in training

Philippe Coutinho is a blessing to a Liverpool side lucky to have him, according to Rio Ferdinand - while former Reds captain Steven Gerrard revealed he used to avoid the Brazilian in training.

Coutinho was widely expected to leave Liverpool for Barcelona in the summer - a move he favoured - but three bids were rejected and he remains at Anfield.

Liverpool fans were even more grateful for this on Saturday, when the forward scored a free kick and claimed an assist in their 3-2 win at Leicester City.

Philippe Coutinho was widely expected to leave Liverpool for Barcelona in the summer

Philippe Coutinho was widely expected to leave Liverpool for Barcelona in the summer

The forward stayed and scored a free kick and claimed an assist in their win at Leicester City

The forward stayed and scored a free kick and claimed an assist in their win at Leicester City

Jordan Henderson sang the praises of Coutinho in his post match interview at the King Power

Jordan Henderson sang the praises of Coutinho in his post match interview at the King Power

Immediately after the full time whistle, Ferdinand, speaking as a pundit on BT Sport, said: 'Coutinho has the X Factor. You saw moments in that game of pure brilliance, and he is a player Liverpool should feel blessed to have on their team.'


Later, Ferdinand reasserted his position, saying manager Jurgen Klopp had pulled off a major coup by persuading Coutinho to say.

He said: 'Liverpool have produced a miracle in keeping him, considering what was on offer in terms of his fee, and the personal terms we see in the media. 

'He could have gone to a club to play alongside Messi and Suarez, and Liverpool have pulled off nothing short of a miracle.

'He creates moments that inspire not a team, but whole stadiums, and he does things which take your breath away.'

Coutinho is a blessing to a Liverpool side lucky to have him, according to Rio Ferdinand

Coutinho is a blessing to a Liverpool side lucky to have him, according to Rio Ferdinand

Ex-Reds captain Steven Gerrard revealed he used to avoid the Brazilian in training

Ex-Reds captain Steven Gerrard revealed he used to avoid the Brazilian in training

Gerrard, who played with Coutinho at Liverpool, revealed he hated facing the star in training because of his incredible ability.

He said: 'He is impossible to defend against sometimes. When I used to train with him, I hated being in the opposition five-a-side, I wouldn't go near him.

'I'd say to him, keep away from me, because he can embarrass you. He's two or three steps ahead of defenders, he is so clever.'

Gerrard's successor as Reds skipper, Jordan Henderson, also sang the praises of Coutinho in his post match interview.

He said: 'He's a fantastic player who produces magical things at crucial times in the game. He was brilliant in midweek and since he has come back in, now we hope he can keep going for the rest of the season.'