Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has lavished praise on former Reds captain Steven Gerrard, claiming that he is one of his football heroes and that receiving compliments from him is "truly an honour".
The 35-year-old, who now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, described his former teammate in his autobiography as a hot prospect both for Liverpool and for world football in general.
Responding to these comments, Coutinho told The Telegraph: "It's truly an honour to receive such good comments from a player I regard as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, I have had the chance to play alongside.
"It's just such an honour to be spoken about by Steven Gerrard in such a way, that I might also become such a great player for Liverpool. He is an icon, one of my personal football heroes.
"He is strongly missed not only by the fans but by the players as well. But it's a different time in the club's life now and we have to adapt to it and we have to do our best."
Coutinho signed for Liverpool in 2013 from Inter Milan.
Giuseppe Labellarte
