Firmino hails former Liverpool man with ‘magical powers’
Roberto Firmino has hailed his former Liverpool team-mate Philippe Coutinho as a footballer with “magical powers”.
The Brazil international has struggled to make any kind of an impact since making his £142million move to Barcelona in January 2018 and spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich.
Coutinho has won a league title every season since leaving Anfield – but the money secured from his departure has helped Liverpool to win the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League this campaign.
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Firmino lined up alongside Coutinho for three years at Liverpool and plays with him while on international duty for Brazil.
On his compatriot, Firmino told FIFA.com: “He’s phenomenal.
“You simply can’t say that he’s not a magician. He has magical powers. He produces plays that don’t exist, that you couldn’t make up.
“You always have to watch replays of his plays to understand what he’s done. He’s an unbelievable player. It was a pleasure to play with him at Liverpool, and it’s a pleasure to play with him for the Selecao.
“I’m a huge fan of his. He’s one of the very best players in the world.”