Kaka: 'Liverpool should build around Philippe Coutinho'

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho shoots to score the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on August 9, 2015
© Getty Images
Brazil international Kaka tells Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers that he should build his Reds side around midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

Brazil international Kaka has told Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers that he should build his side around Philippe Coutinho.

The 23-year-old midfielder scored a late strike from distance to help the Reds claim a 1-0 victory against Stoke City in their opening game of the Premier League season on Sunday.

Kaka has stated that his fellow countryman can help Liverpool back into the top four.

"I have been a big admirer of Coutinho and he can be a very important player for Liverpool and Brazil," the Orlando City midfielder told The Mirror.

"There will be a lot of expectation on him with Liverpool fighting to get back into the Champions League, but I know he can handle it.

"One great player doesn't make a team, but you can build a team around one, and I believe he can be that player."

Coutinho has scored 14 goals in 82 league games since joining Liverpool from Inter Milan in January 2013.

James Milner of Liverpool FC reacts during the international friendly match between Brisbane Roar and Liverpool FC at Suncorp Stadium on July 17, 2015
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CLeicester CityLeicester362211364343077
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs361913467283970
3Arsenal361910759342567
4Manchester CityMan City361971068383064
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd35179943311260
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham351514660431759
7Southampton361691153391457
8Liverpool3515101059481155
9Chelsea351212115548748
10Stoke CityStoke36139143852-1448
11Everton351014115549644
12Watford35128153642-644
13Swansea CitySwansea361110153750-1343
14West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361011153246-1441
15Bournemouth36118174363-2041
16Crystal Palace36109173646-1039
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3689193964-2533
18Sunderland35711174058-1832
19Norwich CityNorwich3587203561-2631
RAston Villa3637262772-4516