Philippe Coutinho Recalled To Brazil Squad For Exhibitions In United States

Philippe Coutinho and Jonny Evans Philippe Coutinho is coming back to America less than two months after his last stateside visit.

Coutinho was recalled to Brazil’s national team for a pair of exhibition games that will take place in the United States in September. Brazil will face Colombia on September 5 in Miami and Ecuador on September 9 in New Jersey, and newly installed Brazil head coach Dunga selected the Liverpool midfielder in his first squad.

Coutinho, 22, has made one appearance for Brazil — against Iran in 2010 — and is keen to add to his collection of yellow shirts in the months and years to come.

Coutinho has impressed since moving to Liverpool from Italian club Inter Milan in January 2013. The diminutive playmaker has scored eight goals in 51 games (in all competition) for Liverpool and was instrumental in its return to the Premier League elite last season.

But former Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari left Coutinho off his 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, which ultimately suffered a historic loss to Germany in the semifinals.

Coutinho was part of Liverpool’s traveling squad for its recent preseason tour of the United States. Coutinho’s continued good form has prompted Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to consider offering Coutinho a new contract, which reflects his importance to the resurgent Reds.

Coutinho’s reputation as a budding star is established in England and it could carry to Brazil and the U.S. in the not-too-distant future.