Luis Suarez told me to look after Philippe Coutinho when he left Liverpool, reveals Steven Gerrard 

  • Sportsmail is serialising Steven Gerrard's explosive book, My Story 
  • Luis Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona in July 2014
  • The Uruguayan told Gerrard to 'look after' the mercurial Philippe Coutinho 

By Steven Gerrard For The Daily Mail

Published: 16:00 EST, 13 September 2015 | Updated: 19:57 EST, 13 September 2015

Before Luis Suarez left Liverpool’s training ground for the last time he spoke to me about Philippe Coutinho. ‘Make sure you look after him,’ Luis said of Philippe.

That told me how much Suarez rated Coutinho as a player. I knew they were close, because all the South Americans and Spaniards loved Luis.

But it struck a chord with me when Luis singled out Philippe as our most special young talent. It echoed my own view.

Luis Suarez told Steven Gerrard to 'look after' Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool

Luis Suarez told Steven Gerrard to 'look after' Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool

Coutinho celebrates scoring against Manchester City in December 2013 with Suarez

Coutinho celebrates scoring against Manchester City in December 2013 with Suarez

The pair were close throughout their time together at Anfield before Suarez departed for Barcelona 

The pair were close throughout their time together at Anfield before Suarez departed for Barcelona 

LA Galaxy midfielder Gerrard's explosive autobiography is being serialised by Sportsmail

LA Galaxy midfielder Gerrard's explosive autobiography is being serialised by Sportsmail

STEVEN GERRARD - MY STORY 

Gerrard's role trying to persuade Europe's top players to join Liverpool

Suarez told Gerrard to look after Coutinho

Balotelli said 'I don't mark at corners... I can't' on his first day at Melwood

Philippe is wonderfully gifted and I expect him to become Liverpool’s leading player.

Many Liverpool fans already regard him as our main man.

He has just signed a new deal and he and his wife — who are a lovely couple — seem settled here.

But I also know that the Spanish giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid, will come looking for Philippe in a few more seasons, just like they did with Luis.

And that’s when it will get tricky for Liverpool because the lure to go to one of those two clubs is so strong for any South American or Spanish player.

Until that happens, Liverpool should really treasure Philippe.

Many already regard Coutinho as Liverpool's main man and they should treasure his quality, says Gerrard

Many already regard Coutinho as Liverpool's main man and they should treasure his quality, says Gerrard

 

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