Coutinho on FIRE: Were Barcelona the problem?

James Shearman

• 10 Feb 2022 09:31 GMT
• 3 min read

Philippe Coutinho's January move from Barcelona to Aston Villa has already seen improvements for both club and country.

Coutinho left Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool for the Blaugrana just over four years ago in a €160 million deal.

Indeed, the 29-year-old was supposed to be the long-term replacement for club legend Andres Iniesta, but failed to come close to meeting those expectations.

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However, with this being his second loan move - the first a mixed season at Bayern Munich - he seems to have rekindled his fine form.

Villa boss, and former team-mate, Steven Gerrard lured Coutinho to the Midlands' biggest club last month, where he has made a significant impact in a short space of time.

The attacking midfielder was substituted on with 20 minutes to go against Manchester United at 2-0 down, later scoring the equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

He then played 73 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Everton.

He continued his devastating form against Leeds United on 9 February in a 3-3 draw. Coutinho opened the scoring for Villa after they had fallen behind with an astute finish from the edge of the box and then went on to thrive in broken play by setting Jacob Ramsey up for a first-half double.

Coutinho's Villa move helping Brazil form

During the January international break, he travelled with Brazil to take part in a pair of World Cup qualifiers.

And, it appears the change of scenery is having a positive effect on playing for his country too.

The talent has won back his place in Brazil's starting lineup, doing so in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador and the 4-0 romp of Paraguay on Tuesday, in which he scored an excellent goal.

''I had a lot of time out and I was out with a very complicated injury,'' he said after the game, via Mundo Deportivo.

''I was called up for the last two games of the Brazil team, but I didn’t have the opportunity to play.

''I received a new opportunity now and I’m happy to have responded.''

So, perhaps Coutinho's troubles in Spain were Barcelona's fault all along, and he certainly wouldn't be alone in struggling to perform at Camp Nou - Antoine Greizmann and Ousmane Dembele are just two of many other recent attacking examples.