Liverpool star reacts after being named the best Brazilian player in Europe

Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho has talked about his joy at winning the Samba Gold prize for the best Brazilian footballer in Europe.

The 24-year-old was granted the honour at Melwood this evening having netted 18 goals for club and country in 2016, following an illustrious list of champions that also involves the likes of Kaka, Thiago Silva and Neymar.

Coutinho called 2016 a “good year” both personally and for the club notwithstanding losing in the League Cup and Europa League finals, and thinks that the team’s progress is down to head coach Jurgen Klopp’s ideas.

“It means a lot. I’m very happy to know that this past year I have been recognised by many people. It was an important year for me and I’m very glad to win this award. It was a good year.” – Coutinho told the club’s official website.

“As a team, we played very well, and we managed to get to two finals. Unfortunately, we did not win the finals, we lost. That was a tough time for us to deal with the defeat [to Sevilla] but this certainly made the group stronger, We started the season very well, at a high level. We all played very well, so, of course, 2016 was a good year. In the end, I got injured, I missed a few games at the end of the year, but it was an active year. The coach demands a lot from the group. We work hard as a team, and of course, Liverpool has great players.

“Everyone has been playing well this season and has done what the coach has asked for. And about that, the coach lets us do what we want on the field. Of course, everyone has their responsibility, when they do not have the ball, they should mark, be in their position, defend. But he lets us do what we want. No one feels pressure determine who will make decisions and who will support. Everyone works together, as a group.” – He Added.

ARIS