Liverpool legend Stan Collymore has claimed that Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho will have his character tested when he returns to Anfield this week. Coutinho failed to secure a dream move to Barcelona this summer and will have to return to the Reds.
He has also not played a role in any of Liverpool’s games this season thus far as he had hoped to secure a deal. The Brazilian is however expected to return to Jurgen Klopp’s team for their game against Manchester City this weekend.
Coutinho is arguably one of the most talented players in the Liverpool setup and it is likely that he will feature during the game.
He will also be aware that he will need to be playing as regularly as possible if he wishes to make the Brazil squad for the 2018 World Cup.
Collymore feels that the player will be now tested by Liverpool team-mates and said, “Players who are a bit younger and trying to make their way in the game will say, ‘Well, he’s been a bit of a **** for what he has done, but he’s a great player and when he comes back I’m not going to treat him any differently than I did before’
“Then there’ll be the more senior players — the manager’s lieutenants — who’ll rattle his cage and make sure he knows where he stands.
“They might give him both barrels — ‘You’re taking the ****, you’re bang out of order’ — or they might go down the more subtle route, which can often be worse than being fronted up. Every mis-kick, every chance that goes begging, even every stretch will be chipped away at.”
