Philippe Coutinho and Neymar are international team-mates (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool talisman Philippe Coutinho has admitted playing alongside Neymar is like playing with one of idols.

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The two attackers are Brazil team-mates and the Coutinho says he worships the Barcelona superstar, along with the rest of Brazil.

Coutinho has been continually linked with a move to the Nou Camp after hitting a purple patch for Liverpool.

Neymar is one third of Barcelona’s star trio of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi and Coutinho revealed he idolises his international team-mate.


‘(Neymar is) our main idol in Brazil and young children look up to him,’ Coutinho told FourFourTwo.

Coutinho's season so far Games: 17

Goals: 6

Assists: 7

Coutinho has caught the attention of Barcelona in recent months (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s the best player and a mirror of the player I want to be.



‘He’s a close friend of mine and it’s great to have a team-mate the same age as me who I admire.

‘If you see the type of football that he plays for Brazil and Barcelona. Wow.

‘It’s just really inspiring.’

Neymar is as prolific for the Brazil team as he is for Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

Coutinho is on the comeback trail from injury as he prepares to return to the starting eleven at Anfield in the Premier League for the first time since November.

Anfield have not seen their star man since he hobbled off against Sunderland late last year and Liverpool will be hoping Coutinho’s return will spark a renewed charge for the title.

Liverpool dropped into third place last weekend and are now seven points behind Chelsea in first.

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