Determined To Return Coutinho's Performance To The Way He Played At Liverpool, Tite: Talent Is Not To Be Discussed, He's A Great Player

Philippe Coutinho (Instagram @phil.coutinho)

JAKARTA - Brazil national team coach Tite is determined to restore Philippe Coutinho's best performance as he played with Liverpool a few years ago.

Tite surprisingly called the Barcelona player into Brazil's squad for the CONMEBOL 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Colombia tomorrow Friday and Argentina next Wednesday.

The 29-year-old was once one of the world's best players during his time at Liverpool but has failed to live up to expectations since Barcelona made him the club's most expensive signing for 160 million euros in 2018.

"Coutinho today was not the best Coutinho, but Coutinho is a great player. He has a great future, we will bring him back to how he used to be at Liverpool. We need to continue the process to see how great he is," Tite said ahead of the game against Colombia as quoted by Antara. from Marca on Thursday.

"Talent is not up for discussion and no one can say Coutinho doesn't have it. For me, Couto can play on both sides, he can play inside or out, but he's an integral player who has to make the final pass."

Tite also discussed Real Madrid youngster Vinicius Junior who was initially left out of the squad before being called up as a replacement for injured Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino.

"We have to be patient and understanding with him (Vinicius)," said Tite. "I had to create a welcoming environment in which he could thrive."