Poch: Coutinho has Ronaldinho qualities
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes our new No.10 has similar qualities to fellow South Americans Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.
The Reds visit St Mary's on Saturday afternoon hoping to extend a four-game winning streak.
Coutinho has been instrumental in Liverpool's upturn in form since signing from Inter Milan in January, scoring a goal and providing two assists in just four appearances.
Pochettino knows the 20-year-old after coaching him during a loan spell at Espanyol last season.
He said: "Philippe is a Brazilian player and, as it happens with most Brazilians, he has a special magic in his feet.
"Aside from the magic that he has, he also has an amazing work-rate and that makes us doubt whether he fits the mould of a typical Brazilian player or a European one because his work ethic is outstanding.
"What is important about him is he is a good lad, a good kid - a great, humble person.
"I do think Coutinho has that same quality that Ronaldinho and Messi have, but he has much to prove yet.
"What is really clear to me is that Coutinho is a really responsible player - really dedicated and responsible to his own players."