Brazil take on Bolivia in the early hours of our Friday morning, as they continue to fight for World Cup qualification.
Coutinho has been fantastic off the bench so far for the world’s most successful ever international side and has earned himself a starting role ahead of Chelsea’s Willian, so say reports by leading Brazilian online journalist Brazilstats.
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According to what he saw in Tite’s training session, Coutinho formed part of a jaw-dropping front-three with Neymar and Gabriel Jesus, the youngster who’s already tearing up trees for the national team, with Manchester City purchasing him for January.
BRAZIL XI in training:
Alisson;
Alves, Miranda, Marquinhos, F.Luis;
Guiliano, Fernandinho, Renato Augusto;
Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar.— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) October 4, 2016
Coutinho displaces Willian in starting lineup. Filipe and Fernandinho replace injured Marcelo and Casemiro. Guiliano for suspended Paulinho.
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) October 4, 2016
Roberto Firmino has also been called up to the squad this time and may actually play in place of the youngster, due to Jesus’s club commitments potentially leaving him a little tired.
Gabriel Jesus was later replaced by Firmino in the lineup as he was tired from Palmeiras’ game last night. Firmino has chances to feature.
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) October 4, 2016
It’s some compliment to Liverpool that two of our attackers may make up the Brazil strike-force alongside Neymar, one of the world’s best three or four players, in truth.
But having said that, our priority is that they return to Merseyside in full health. We’ve got a massive fixture with Manchester United next and with Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren potentially injured – it’s crucial they’re ready for us.