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Philippe Coutinho has warned Premier League bully boys: “Kick me and I’ll score against you.”

Coutinho is well aware of how physical the English game is compared to Italy and his native Brazil.

And even though the 5ft 7in attacking midfielder is only slightly built, he is confident he can cope.

“I’m quite calm about getting kicked,” said the 20-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Inter Milan in January. “I’ll get up, carry on playing and score a goal.

“England is quite different to what I’m used to because you have to be much quicker here. The pace is much quicker than Italy or Brazil.

“I always knew the type of football here would be much harder, but with the help of the manager, staff and players I’ll try to adapt as quickly as possible.”

Nuri Sahin had made similar vows about adapting when he joined Liverpool from Real Madrid in August.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC)

But for all the stylish Sahin’s flair, the Turk never got to grips with the physicality of the Premier League and was shipped out again in January.

Coutinho, who has one Brazil cap, knows he needs to offer more than just bold words and is embarking on an exercise programme to beef himself up.

“Of course, playing here will be a challenge and I want to deal with it as quickly as possible,” he said.

“I know everyone says it is the toughest league in the world and I’ve already noticed you have to think quicker and move quicker because the pace is that much higher.

“I know I need to improve my muscles because they are quite small at the moment.”

Coutinho has made a promising start, scoring on his full debut against Swansea, and Wigan’s game at the DW Stadium this evening will suit his style.

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Brendan Rodgers’ footballing philosophy, as explained to him by compatriot Lucas, was a key factor in Coutinho’s decision to join for £8.5million and he insists Liverpool are still a global club.

“Lucas spoke to me,” he said. “He explained the methods here. I knew Liverpool was a huge team so the decision was made quite quickly on this basis.

“Liverpool is known around the world for being a huge club for all the titles they have won.

“The one that comes to mind is in the Champions League final in 2005 when they turned the game around.”

Lucas is helping Coutinho, his wife Aine and brothers Leandro and Cristiano settle on Merseyside. He has moved into Fabio Aurelio’s old house.

The South American was delighted to be given the No.10 shirt – the number Pele wore – and the one-time prodigy at Vasco da Gama is keen to succeed at Liverpool after his failure in Italy.

(Image: Andrew Powell)

He never managed to hold down a regular starting place during his two-and-a-half years at the San Siro and was farmed out on loan to Espanyol last season.

“Sometimes I was ­disappointed because every player wants to play,” said Coutinho, whose childhood idols were Kaka and Ronaldinho. “I always did my best for Inter, but it didn’t work out.

“I need to spend some time at a club and I need to enjoy my ­football to play my best.

“Hopefully I will have a long and successful career at Liverpool. That is what I’m hoping for.”

Our Serie A expert Mina Rzouki gave us the lowdown on Coutinho when he first signed for Liverpool. Click here to read her verdict on him.