'I've never seen a player as talented as Coutinho'

Emre Can's list of current and former teammates is filled with world-class players – but none can top the talents of Philippe Coutinho.

The Liverpool midfielder came through the ranks at Bayern Munich and spent a season with Bayer Leverkusen before moving to Merseyside in 2014, where he has become a regular in the Premier League and established himself at senior international level with Germany.

His selection of an ultimate XI, the first of our new series which you can watch in full below, offered ample evidence of the calibre of stars the 23-year-old has played with or against so far in his career.

But in explaining why Coutinho made the cut, Can admitted the Brazilian playmaker possesses abilities he has not seen in anyone else.

“I never saw a talented player like him, he has everything,” he said.

“On the ball he is just amazing. It is very difficult to play against him. He can score goals, he shoots very well. He can just do everything with the ball.”

In a line-up overflowing with quality and spearheaded by the two standout players of the modern era, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, another familiar Liverpool face was an automatic selection in midfield: Steven Gerrard.

“Everybody knows how good he is and how good he was. I was a lucky guy to share the same pitch with him in the same team,” said Can.

“Off the pitch, I have to say that as well. He is and he was a leader. He helped me a lot when I came to Liverpool and he helps everyone new who comes to Liverpool.”

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