Contract renewal“Liverpool have always shown a great warmth to me so when they came to me with a proposal I did not need to think twice to renew the contract,” explains Coutinho. “I have always been looked after very well by this football club and I am very happy at this football club, so I didn’t even have to think about it.”
On Rodgers, who cites long-term security as a psychological factor in Coutinho’s improvement since putting pen to paper.“It is difficult for me to say that, I’d rather not talk about myself in terms of stepping up a level or things like that because I prefer to do my work during the week and then show my best in the game. Sometimes the game does not go for you no matter how much you try, but I do what I can and leave other people to their opinions on how I played.”
Terry's nomination“I was really pleased when I heard that because it is coming from such a great player. It was wonderful.” And whom did he vote for? “I’m keeping that a secret,”
On his improvement in scoring“The FA Cup has been good for me and I have scored some goals but I want to get better because I need to get better. Scoring goals is one of the things that I need to do better because a player in my position must do that. I want to achieve many other things but that is the main one.”
Is reaching Suárez’s level of creativity and menace for Liverpool another target?“I wouldn’t say I need to be like him because each player has their own way of playing,” Coutinho responds. “But I always try to improve. What Luis did for Barcelona against PSG the other night was amazing and it is incredible what he can do as a footballer. I want to get better.”
Being favourites for the FA cup“It’s very difficult when people think we’re favourites,” he says. “Games like this are always difficult if you think like that. I know what people think but we have to play as well as we can to achieve what we want.”
Meeting Pele“We spoke with him just for a little bit,” recalls Pelé’s compatriot and fellow No10. “We did not ask many questions. He asked us what life was like over here and how things were. We asked him how was his flight. We did not have much time. I have never met him before, it was my first time and a great honour for me. I was a little bit nervous meeting him before the match. It is the ultimate honour because Pelé is Brazil’s greatest player and probably in the world. Meeting a person like that sends a shiver down your spine.
“Of course, I took a photograph with him and I’ll keep it with some of the other idols that I have. My main idol is Ronaldinho. He was the player I always wanted to watch wherever he was playing. I had a photograph taken with him when I was called into the national team when I was 17. I have always kept that and it is the photograph I treasure the most.”
The future“My mind is at Liverpool, I’m a Liverpool player and I don’t think about not being in the Champions League because I am happy here and want to be here,” he states. “The season has not finished yet regarding the Champions League. There are still a few games to go, many things can happen, and we will try to finish the season on a high. Our aim is always to start the season thinking of winning titles and trophies. the Champions League is not mathematically out of reach and we’re in the semi-finals of a great competition. We will do our best to win the trophy. It matters a lot to us as a club.”
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/17/philippe-coutinho-liverpool-aston-villa-fa-cup-semi-final