Top 10 South Americans in Premier League history

#5 Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho is arguably Liverpool's most important player

It might be somewhat controversial to rank Coutinho above Zabaleta and Gilberto given he hasn’t actually won anything, and over Juninho given the latter’s iconic status in Middlesbrough, but let’s be fair – Coutinho has been absolutely fantastic throughout his Liverpool career and he does hold one individual title at least – the highest scoring Brazilian player in Premier League history.

Plus, he’s just been nominated for the 2017 Ballon d’Or, what’s not to love?

Coutinho joined Liverpool midway through the 2012/13 season and immediately made an impact; debuting in February, by March he’d already scored and set up enough goals to be named Liverpool’s Player of the Month.

The Little Magician hasn’t looked back since, becoming Liverpool’s focal point in midfield – particularly after the departure of Steven Gerrard – and he almost helped the Reds to a first Premier League title in 2013/14, before that slip from the afore mentioned Gerrard allowed their challenge to slip away, no pun intended.

As part of Liverpool’s so-called ‘Fab Four’, alongside Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, it seems like only a matter of time before Coutinho gets his hands on a trophy. And despite the Barcelona links of the summer still lingering, he’s currently in his sixth season with Liverpool and remains probably their most important player.