PHIL CAN RAISE THE BAR

Suarez hails former Reds pal

LUIS SUAREZ claims former Liverpool team-mate Philippe Coutinho would bring “a lot” to Barcelona.

Suarez claims he knows how good Coutinho is from their 18 months together at Anfield and says the Brazil star would be an asset for Barcelona if they could prise him from Anfield.

Asked what Coutinho could bring to his Barcelona side, Suarez said: “A lot. I know him as a person and as a player because I played with him.

“But everyone knows what Coutinho can contribute. He is a footballer who today plays at a very high level.”

Suarez also praised Coutinho for the professional way he handled his disappointment at being denied a dream

move to the Nou Camp when Liverpool rejected Barca’s third bid of £115million.

He scored four goals and three assists in nine games before being sidelined for a second time this season with an abductor muscle injury.

“He’s a player who has ambition and any player would want to come to Barca,” said Suarez.

“He went through a difficult and very complicated moment, but as a professional he continued to show how good a player he is and the personal quality he has.

“Despite trying to leave Liverpool, he continued helping the team and working.

“He is demonstrating he is a professional who has the ambition to take a step further.” Coutinho will return for Liverpool after the international break, along with Adam Lallana (below), and Simon Mignolet claims having the pair available again is a huge boost. Liverpool’s next game at home against Southampton on November 18 is the first of 13 matches before January 2 and Mignolet is delighted the Reds will have their complete range of attacking options.

“If you get players like them coming back and being fresh after not playing much recently, that can give not only a boost to the team, but also a boost to them individually,” said the Belgium goalkeeper.

“They will be raring to go and very eager to get on the pitch and score the goals they’ve wanted to while they’ve been missing.”