Philippe Coutinho rolls back the years as ex-Liverpool star enjoys renaissance

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Philippe Coutinho scored a brilliant free-kick for Vasco de Gama over the weekend with the former Liverpool attacking midfielder enjoying something of a renaissance back in Brazil.

Since leaving Anfield to move to Barcelona, Coutinho's career has been on a sharp and steep decline.

But now in his homeland again after a failed stint at Aston Villa, the 33-year-old hasn't lost his ability to strike a ball from distance.

Hitting a free-kick from an angle on the edge of the penalty area, Coutinho curled a strike into the top corner to put his side ahead early in a game against Ceara.

He scored plenty of similar goals for Liverpool, though Vasco de Gama went on to draw this match 2-2.

At that time, I really wanted to move to Barcelona," Coutinho recalled.

"We had many discussions about staying, about leaving.

"But, eventually, the club (Liverpool) agreed to let me go and I joined Barcelona.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 11: Philippe Coutinho looks on during his presentation as the new player of Vasco da Gama at Sede Nautica Da Lagoa on July 11, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.