Champions League football is dream come true for Liverpool’s Coutinho

The Reds and the Champions League are perfect companions. No English outfit has won more than the Anfield club’s five European Cups.

Now, after an absence of nearly five years, they are back in Europe’s premier competition and ready to make a big impression.

Coutinho, along with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, surprised everyone in the Premier League last season when they almost snatched the title.

Now it’s their chance to do the same to Europe’s big guns, and the draw has thrown up the tantalising prospect of two games against defending champions, Real Madrid.

But other group matches against Swiss Champions FC Basel, and unknown Bulgarians Ludogorets Razgrad, offer Liverpool an enticing passage into the knock-out stages.

Following the success of unfancied Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid in the last two seasons in reaching the Final, there is a belief that Liverpool could achieve something similar.

They begin at home to Ludogorets on Tuesday night, and Coutinho is looking forward to sampling some magical Anfield nights.

With all the colour from The Kop and the Champions League music blaring out, the Brazilian knows this is one of the reasons he came to the club.

“I’m really looking forward to experiencing one of those famous nights on Tuesday, and in future matches,” he says.

“I know what the atmosphere at Anfield is like, having been here for nearly two years. Last season it was fabulous, as everybody was so supportive, even before the games when they were waiting for our bus to arrive at the ground.

“But the Champions League will be a new experience. There’s a different feel about it. It’s more like a show or a concert and I can’t wait.

“Of course, I’m aware Liverpool have won this trophy a number of times. As players, we’re very motivated and excited to be back in this competition.

“We’re confident we can go through to the next round, but we know it will be difficult.

“Not just against Real Madrid, but the other two as well. This is the Champions League, so of course it is going to be tough. But we have a strong squad, new players have been brought in and we are in a good position to perform well.”

When asked who could be one of the stars of the Champions League, Coutinho had no hesitation in choosing Sterling.

The teenager has just enjoyed one of the best moments of his career, having starred for England in the 2-0 win in Switzerland last Monday.

Manager Roy Hodgson even switched his formation to use the midfield diamond shape employed by Rodgers at Liverpool to get the best out of Sterling.

With his lightning pace and ability to run at defenders, he could become his country’s most-potent attacking threat in the run-up to Euro 2016.

Coutinho has seen Sterling’s rapid improvement over the last 12 months, and is backing him to do it on club football’s biggest stage.

“It’s likely Raheem will be one of the stars in Europe for Liverpool,” he states.

“He is having a very good time, he’s in great shape and he has improved a lot. I believe he’ll do very well in the Champions League.

“Raheem is so fast, I just can’t keep up with him! I was not at all surprised by his performances for England. I see his quality from training with him every day and in matches.

“He’s a great player and he has the potential to perform like that for Liverpool and the national team. And I’m confident this will be a very good season for Raheem, at both club and international level.”

Coutinho has his own reasons for wanting to succeed in the Champions League. Growing up in Brazil, he was inspired by the exploits of Roberto Carlos, Kaka and Ronaldinho in the competition.

It has a big influence on their football, and this year, 26 of the 32 Champions League teams contain at least one Brazilian.

Coutinho experienced it as a teenager at Inter Milan, but he feels his game has come of age in his time on Merseyside.

He also knows that the Champions League is the perfect platform for his international ambitions.

The attacking midfielder missed out on playing in the World Cup on home soil, so was spared the humiliation of being part of the squad that lost 7-1 to Germany in the semi-final.

But he was recalled straight away by new coach Dunga for friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador last week.

However, strong performances for Liverpool against Europe’s finest will stand him in good stead for cementing his place for Brazil.

“The Champions League has become a famous tournament back home,” admits the 22-year-old.

“People watch it as much as domestic Brazilian football. It is certainly an inspiration to know that people will be watching me. The matches are on in the afternoon, but I remember as a youngster, stopping everything to watch them.

“Brazilians have performed so well in the past in the Champions League, like Ronaldinho, who was one of my heroes. So it’s a dream for me to play in this competition.

“I was very happy to be in the Brazil squad for the last games and I had a really enjoyable week with the team. Seeing what happened in the summer made me very motivated.

“As a football fan and a Brazilian, it was tough to watch us lose at home in that way in the World Cup. But that is the past. I want to stay in the squad, look to the future and help us to improve.”