Steven Gerrard believes Philippe Coutinho can help revive Aston Villa’s glorious past if he signs permanently, following a spectacular start to his loan spell.
Coutinho has three goals and three assists in seven games since Gerrard brought in his old Liverpool team-mate from Barcelona in January.
Now, as he prepares to face Leeds on Thursday, Gerrard challenged Villa to finish in the top 10 for the first time since 2011 — but his aims, and those of billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, are higher.
Gerrard was careful not to directly call for Villa to buy Coutinho, who is 30 in June and would command high wages, but his opinion is clear.