Neymar: Coutinho has ‘style’ to succeed at Barca

Matthew Stead
Neymar (l): Believes Philippe Coutinho is capable of playing for Barcelona

Neymar (l): Believes Philippe Coutinho is capable of playing for Barcelona

Neymar would like to see Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho join Barcelona, with the forward saying his compatriot has the necessary “style”.

Coutinho has emerged as one of Liverpool’s most important players over the last few seasons, with the sales of the likes of Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling leaving the Brazilian as one of few with proven star quality.

This calendar year has also seen Coutinho’s emergence on the international scene as a regular fixture, with the midfielder featuring seven times for Brazil in 2015.

Neymar, a childhood friend of Coutinho, says the 23-year-old – who Gerrard believes will one day leave Anfield to join either Barca or Real Madrid – has the necessary “style” to be a success at the Nou Camp.

“There’s a lot of Brazilian players that could be playing for Barcelona,” said Neymar. “One of them is Philippe Coutinho. He’s a great player and he has Barcelona’s style.”

Neymar formed a third of one of the most lethal attacking trios in club football last season, scoring a combined total of 122 goals in all competitions alongside Suarez and Lionel Messi.

Illness has marred the start of Neymar’s campaign this time around, but having scored in his last two La Liga games, the forward feels ready to help Barcelona as they seek to defend their memorable treble from last season.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be the top scorer. What I look for in every season is to get better,” he added.

“Last season was fantastic for us, we’ve won a lot of titles and I scored a lot.

“So, this season I want to be better and to score more to help my team-mates and the team. First we have to think in the group, and then the individual results come naturally.”