Philippe Coutinho: Brazil boss Tite urges Liverpool’s ‘Little Magician’ to grab his chance in national side with both hands

BRAZIL boss Tite has urged Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho to grab his chance in the national side with both hands and prove he deserves to start the game over Chelsea's Willian.

The Reds forward, 24, has enjoyed a superb start to the season with Jurgen Klopp's side with a team-high four goals to his name in all competitions, as well as making the team tick in attack.

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His form has been so good that Tite - who took over from Dunga at Brazil in June - claims he was left with no choice but to insert him into the starting XI for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela.

He said: "There’s a reason he is called 'the Little Magician'.

"With his passes, Coutinho opens the lines, creates space. I like his mobility, he was influential in both games when he came on.

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"It was a difficult decision for me, but right now this is Coutinho’s moment.

"And in football, you have to follow the moment."

Coutinho has been in and out of the Brazil set-up for six years having made his debut in 2010 - aged just 18.

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During that time, the Liverpool ace has racked up just 19 caps, netting four times.

His predecessor in the starting XI, Willian, meanwhile has 38 caps and six goals under his belt.

Coutinho's in-form Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino is also in Tite's 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifying double-header.