An impassioned Steven Gerrard snapped back amid critics questioning Philippe Coutinho’s time at the Camp Nou, saying: “It makes no sense for me to listen to keyboard warriors in Barcelona!”
Villa chief Gerrard was asked about Coutinho’s doubters, and was quick to put them in their place.
Steven Gerrard said: “I take zero notice of what people are saying in Barcelona. Why would I analyse what people are saying there, it’s not important. What is important is we’ve signed a wonderful footballer. When the opportunity came up to bring someone in who’s won two leagues in Barcelona, many cups for Barcelona, went on loan to Bayern Munich and won the European Cup, and someone who I knew ever so well from his Liverpool playing days as well. It makes no sense for me to listen to keyboard warriors in Barcelona. I know the player, I know the boy, and I’m confident we can get him moving. He’s a fantastic talent, he needs to smile and enjoy his football, feel the confidence, support and the love, and I’ve got no doubt that we’ll see the real Philippe Coutinho. You can see clearly that he’s a player that needs to feel loved and supported, like the majority of footballers. I was the same, you want people to have confidence and belief in you. It’s mine and the staff’s job, his new team-mates and the supporters, to get him feeling good about himself. If you get a happy Philippe Coutinho who’s enjoying his football, who is in a physical place in terms of repeatedly getting training and game-time, the talent doesn’t leave you. Quality doesn’t leave you, it’s about putting everything else around that and that’s what our job is, to put everything around it.”
After the blockbuster deal to bring in Coutinho, Lucas Digne was confirmed on Thursday for £25million, with the two in line for their debuts against Manchester United on Saturday. Ahead of his return to the Villa Park dugout having missed the Boxing Day defeat to Chelsea due to Covid, Gerrard said: “There’s definitely a sign of optimism and ambition, not just from me but from the top of the club as well, which is vital here.
Steven Gerrard said:”We want to move now, we don’t want to wait. When we came in we knew we had a lot of talented youngsters in the group, who are potentially going to be fantastic players for Villa. We also had a ‘middle-age’ bracket – Cash, Mings, Konsa – who are trying to become top players. They are already fantastic players, but they have another level, and they are still working towards that, becoming experienced footballers. They are just a few examples. We felt the group was maybe lacking a few players who had real pedigree, who have won before, who have been there and done it, who can bring a certain level of confidence and belief to add to what’s already here. The first couple of signings are statements and players who are ready to help Villa now, not potential, or ‘we wait’ or ‘it’s a maybe’. We know these two players, if we can make them happy and enjoy their football again, will bring a lot to this club. That’s what we felt the dressing room needed, and there might be opportunities again to complement what’s already in the dressing room. I’m sure Villa Park will be bouncing (vs United), like it always has been, but I’m sure there will be a little more of an edge because of what happened on Monday night. We can’t wait for it, we’re in a good place. We just need to go and execute the performance with a result.”
The Brazilian Philippe Coutinho had come under fire after falling out of favour under Barca manager Xavi and, prior to his loan move to Villa Park, had made just five starts all season amid concerns over his form and fitness. The Champions League winner last completed 90 minutes back in October 2020 after missing the majority of last season due to a knee injury. As for Gerrard, he persuaded his former Liverpool teammate to return to the Premier League following a successful Zoom call, with Villa having the option to buy Coutinho for £33million the summer.
