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Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has opened up on what has been a turbulent season with Barcelona.

The playmaker joined the Catalan giants in 2018 and despite winning back-to-back La Liga titles Coutinho feels he has failed to perform.

The former Reds star's struggles at Camp Nou have subsequently lead to speculation linking him with a move away from La Liga, with Manchester United linked with what would be a shock move.

Ernesto Valverde's side were dumped out of the Champions League by the Reds at the semi-final stage, and also fell to defeat in the Copa del Rey final.

Coutinho, who is now on Copa America duty with Brazil, is hopeful he can improve his performances.

In a frank assessment of his campaign talking to Marca via Daily Mail, Coutinho openly admitted: "I have not had a good season.

"My performances have been a lot worse than I expected they would.

"The only way to improve and gain confidence is through hard work, and I have been working hard."

With Neymar ruled out of the competition through injury, Tite's side will need players like Coutinho to step up and steer them into the latter stages of the tournament.

This is something Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has mirrored as he recognised the importance of the midfielder.

The veteran centre-half urged: "Coutinho had a difficult season in Barcelona.

"It was demanding and [the Barcelona fans] booed him many times, but here in the team he is our reference, especially when we don't have Neymar.

(Image: Photo by Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Images)

"Coutinho calls the game. In the two friendlies we played he was the best player on the pitch, not only because of passes and goals, but also with his defence.

"He is finding his happiness again. I'm very happy and not at all uncomfortable talking about this player because we are very close.

"In the first friendly, I tried to pass him some calmness, and I told Neymar also to give him help.

"We need him, especially now with the absence of Neymar."

Hosts Brazil will take on Bolivia in the Group A encounter on Saturday, with Liverpool's Alisson and Roberto Firmino hoping to be involved.