Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Philippe Coutinho will still give 100 percent for Liverpool - Ronaldinho

Brazil legend Ronaldinho says Philippe Coutinho will still "give everything" for Liverpool because of the upcoming World Cup.

Coutinho attempted to force a move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window, only for Liverpool to refuse to sell the 25-year-old.

The Brazil international has not played for the Merseyside club so far this season, but Ronaldinho is confident his compatriot will not go on strike ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"This season they [Liverpool] will see him give everything for the club -- that is the sort of player he is," Ronaldinho is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. "Also no player is going to refuse to play when it's the World Cup at the end of the season.

"The Liverpool fans have nothing to worry about -- I do not believe any of the stories about him refusing to play for the club. I know him [and] that is not his way."

Coutinho missed Liverpool's first five games of the season with what manager Jurgen Klopp said was a back injury and then illness.

However, the player came on as a second-half substitute in Brazil's two recent World Cup qualifiers, scoring against Ecuador on Thursday.

Klopp has previously stated that Coutinho would be welcomed back into the fold, despite handing in a transfer request as Liverpool rejected three offers from Barcelona.

"He [Coutinho] made it clear that he wanted to join Barcelona this summer -- he will be disappointed as it is a dream for players to want to play for Barcelona -- but I am sure he will still get that chance," Ronaldinho added. "They made it clear how much they wanted him and I am sure that they will come back for him."

Meanwhile, former Brazil international Neto has questioned Coutinho's credentials and insists Beijing Guoan's Renato Augusto is a better player.

"So, do you know how many titles he has at Liverpool? None," he is quoted as saying by UOL Esporte ve TV. "Just to make it very clear to you, because it seems that Philippe Coutinho is Zico and Socrates, who did not win the World Cup. But they deserved to win it.

"But Philippe Coutinho is not as good as you are all suggesting. Calm down, go slowly. He is a very good player, yet he won't win a World Cup for us. But he is a very good player. I prefer Renato Augusto."

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