COUTINHO SAYS ‘COUNT ON ME’
GROUP E TABLE PHILIPPE COUTINHO insists he has overcome his summer meltdown and is committed to Liverpool.
The Brazil star put in a transfer request and was desperate to join Barcelona after they made a huge offer for him.
But after Liverpool held firm and refused to sell, Coutinho has now been integrated back into the squad with spectacular results, scoring in his last two games.
He said: “I’m calm. It’s all passed by, I’m here to give my maximum.” The Anfield midfielder, 25, is convinced the Reds will reach the Champions League knockout stage – and that will help him make the Brazil squad for the World Cup finals next summer.
Liverpool were held by Spartak Moscow and have now just two points from their opening two games.
He said: “It wasn’t the result we wanted, but we have to keep working. There are four games to go and we can make it.
“With every Brazil call-up I want to develop and for us develop as a team in order to be successful.” JOHN STONES has warned Chelsea they will be facing Manchester City’s mean machine on Saturday.
Stones (right) is the linchpin of City’s miserly defence, which has conceded just three goals in the Premier League.
The two sides meet at Stamford Bridge and Stones said: “To keep clean sheets has been a big target and we’ve been defensively solid.
“It’s about carrying that on now. It’s a big thing for me and it’s as satisfying as the boys up top scoring.”