Brendan Rodgers makes 'amazing' Aston Villa claim as Steven Gerrard prepares transfer plan

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers says some of Philippe Coutinho's moments at Aston Villa have been "amazing" and says the Premier League is made for him.

Rodgers managed Coutinho at Liverpool, where the Brazilian became one of the hottest properties in world football, that resulted in a huge £142m transfer to Barcelona.

But the record move has failed to work out for the playmaker, who now finds himself at Villa on loan until the end of the season, with a move away from the Nou Camp a certainty this summer.

Villa reportedly have the option of signing Coutinho for £33m as a condition of his move, with head coach Steven Gerrard understood to be keen on landing his former Reds team-mate on a permanent basis as part of a big summer transfer plan. And Rodgers, speaking after yesterday's goalless draw, says Coutinho is made for English football.

"I am so happy to see him in the Premier League. When I took him to the Premier League, everyone questioned his physicality. As a young player coming through, I saw him at Inter to know he had the personality and physicality to cope," he said.

“He came in and was amazing for me at Liverpool. In my timey, he went on and earned them an incredible amount of money. He went to a place I thought was assured for him to show his talent. But it also shows you it is all about environment. Philippe was loved at Liverpool and was in a great environment, with the players, the club and the supporters.

“He was able to showcase those skills. Since he went to Barcelona, it never really happened for him there for one reason or another. I know he needs to feel love and be in a place where he is given the confidence. Just to see him back in the Premier League playing again adds to the environment as