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'I have had a lot of messages from Liverpool fans on social media': Aston Villa star Philippe Coutinho on his final-day role in the Premier League title race, why Steven Gerrard has always been the boss… and finding happiness in football again

Philippe Coutinho still remembers the first time he met Steven Gerrard at Liverpool's training ground in the January of 2013.

'I remember I was very nervous when I saw him,' Coutinho told Sportsmail. 'He was an idol for me and everyone. I was very young but he was so humble and everything he did was so simple.

'I used to watch him train and how he reacted in games and did things. For me it was a big thrill to play with him.'

Philippe Coutinho has made his move to Aston Villa permanent after initially joining on loan

Almost ten years on and the relationship between the Brazilian playmaker and his former Liverpool captain endures 100 miles south at Aston Villa.