Steven Gerrard ‘on his knees pleading with the board’ to seal ‘sensational’ Aston Villa deal – Whelan
Noel Whelan has insisted Steven Gerrard will be “desperate” to keep Philippe Coutinho at Aston Villa permanently.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the “sensational” 29-year-old has already matched his Liverpool form at the Midlands club.
Coutinho brought his Aston Villa tally to six goal contributions in seven league games after grabbing a goal and assist in the 4-0 rout of Southampton on Saturday (5 March).
As quoted by the Daily Mail post-match, Gerrard revealed he will not make the “final decision” on whether to keep the midfielder.
Coutinho’s loan expires at the end of the season, with Villa having the option to make the deal permanent for £33.7million.
Whelan suggested it would be a “real shame” if the “relationship” between player and manager were to come to an end.
“Gerrard will be on his knees, pleading in the boardroom in order to get him permanently,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’ll be desperate. I think we wondered if we were going to get the same Coutinho we last saw in the Premier League, and now we know the answer.
“Everything positive Villa created against Southampton went through him, he’s just sensational. He thinks a step ahead of everyone else, and on the ball he is a joy to watch.
“Other managers have tried to get the best out of him at big clubs and it just hasn’t happened. He was up for grabs for many teams, but no one took that risk.
“Gerrard wasn’t put off – he knew what a player he is. They need each other and it would be a real shame if that relationship was ended.
“The football he’s playing now is right up there with what we saw at Liverpool – he could’ve had a hattrick. He was everywhere, and it looks like he’s loving life.”
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