Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho 'has the level' to play for Barcelona, insists Brazil team-mate Neymar

Home Top

show ad

KAPOW! Fury dresses up as Batman and KOs the Joker as he ramps up psychological battle with heavyweight rival Klitschko
LIVE: Japan vs Scotland... after shocking South Africa, minnows eye another big scalp in World Cup clash
Falcao gets his Chelsea chance... and his £140,000 wages are close to the cost of Walsall's ENTIRE squad
Liverpool make move for Ancelotti as pressure mounts on Rodgers after sloppy start to the season
Rodgers vs Ancelotti: The staggering contrast in CVs of the two managers
Liverpool has always been a club that excites me, nobody sings an anthem like them... what Ancelotti said
Carneiro row escalates for Mourinho as the FA investigate more evidence of alleged sexism
Burgess IN, Farrell IN, Vunipola IN as England ring changes for Wales clash
VERDICT: Has Lancaster abandoned his principles in choosing brawn over flair ahead of Wales crunch clash?
Martial, De Bruyne and Costa among 26 big buys earning average of £12.4m a year... and 12 are playing in the Premier League
REVEALED: Kaka is highest earner in US above Gerrard and Pirlo as MLS publish salaries (and Bradley Wright-Phillips takes home MORE than his brother Shaun!)
Giroud set for audition against Spurs as he eyes leading role ahead of Theo
Barcelona dealt blow after FIFA reject request to register Turan
Nolito set for Barcelona audition with Enrique ready to pounce for in-form striker once transfer ban is lifted
Newcastle fans have shown patience with McClaren so far... that will all change if they crash out of the cup
Bundesliga beats Premier League and La Liga in value-for-money index... as average ticket price is just £23!
Lewandowski scores FIVE goals in NINE minutes... and he was only a sub! Bayern star makes history with sensational spree
Kop that! Liverpool flop Balotelli reminds Rodgers what he's capable of as striker hits amazing free-kick for AC Milan at Udinese
$Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel (L) and Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa (2nd R) are separated by Arsenal's Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech (C) as they clash during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on September 19, 2015. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON \n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)$ MARTIN SAMUEL: Diego Costa may be a nasty piece of work but there's a grudging admiration for him
SPANISH VIEW: If Liverpool want a rabble-rouser, Ancelotti isn't the man. But he's deeply respected by stars
LIVERPOOL VIEW: Ancelotti would be great fit... but we still want Klopp to replace Rodgers
Three tunnels, NFL changing rooms and the largest single tier in the UK... Tottenham reveal latest plans for £400m stadium
Roberts ready to tackle England rookie Burgess before Wales ace heads off to uni
Now England fear Joseph could be out for entire World Cup pool stages

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been recommended to Barcelona by their Brazilian striker Neymar
The pair play international football together and Neymar would like to transfer that relationship to club level
Coutinho could be seen as a cheaper option for Barca than Paul Pogba
It's not too late to sign up for MailOnline's fantasy football game

By Pete Jenson for MailOnline

Published: 16:45 EST, 21 September 2015 | Updated: 04:54 EST, 22 September 2015

104

View
comments

Barcelona's Brazilian superstar Neymar has urged the club to sign Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho.

The pair play together for Brazil and when asked which international team-mate he would like to play alongside at club level Neymar said: 'Coutinho is a crack (top player) and I would like to play alongside him for Barcelona. He has the level to play for Barca'.

The 23-year-old forward's endorsement of the Liverpool midfielder will reverberate through both clubs.

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has a shot at goal during the 1-1 draw with Norwich City

Neymar speaks at a commercial event for Gillette as he recommends Coutinho to Barcelona

Coutinho tussles for possession with Norwich midfielder Alexander Tettey (left) at Anfield

Neymar (left) and Coutinho play their international football together for Brazil

Barcelona will almost certainly sign a midfielder at the end of this season with Paul Pogba already identified as a target.

Although Barcelona directors met with their Juventus counterparts this summer to make it clear to them they would pursue his signing at the end of the 2015-16 season, there is no pre-agreement in place and Coutinho would be a cheaper alternative.

Neymar played alongside Coutinho in Brazil at youth level and he is not the only Barcelona star who is a fan.

Coutinho's former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez is also a big admirer of the Brazilian.

Liverpool have lost their best players in the last two summers with Suarez leaving for Barcelona in a £75m deal in 2014 and Raheem Sterling moving to Manchester City this summer for £49m.

Coutinho darts away from Canaries winger Nathan Redmond (left) during the match on Merseyside

Barca forward Luis Suarez vies for the ball with Roma's Lucas Digne during the Champions League clash

Speaking at a Gillette event Neymar also said he was growing up after his sending off and subsequent suspension at this summer's Copa America.

He said: I don't like not being able to play and not being able to help my team. I made a mistake and I have learned from it.'

Asked about his role in Barcelona's attempts this season to retain the Spanish League, Cup and European Cup Neymar said: 'I want to be even better this season but I want to help the team. The group comes first and individuals second.'