• Champions League

Coutinho eager to fire Liverpool to European glory

Philippe Coutinho said he was well aware of Liverpool's history in European competition © Getty Images

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Philippe Coutinho has said he cannot wait to experience Champions League football at Anfield after Liverpool secured a return to Europe's premier cup competition.

It is 50 years since Liverpool made their first European Cup appearance at Anfield - a 6-1 thrashing of KR Reykjavik in 1964 - and Coutinho said his team-mates are desperate to fire Liverpool back to the summit of European football.

They will return to the Champions League after a four-year absence when they face Ludogorets Razgrad on Tuesday night and Coutinho expects the atmosphere at Anfield to crank up a notch accordingly.

"I have heard a lot about the European nights at this club," Coutinho said. "I can only imagine the atmosphere will be fabulous, because it seems to me that the atmosphere at Anfield is always fabulous, even for ordinary games in the afternoon.

"I am aware of Liverpool's history in the competition as well and the players are just as excited as the fans at being back in the event. We are confident we can make it to the next stage but we know it will be tough. Not just against Real Madrid but Ludogorets and Basel too.

"We are looking forward to getting off to a good start and we know we will have the fans behind us."

Liverpool have a famous history in the competition, lifting the trophy fives times, the most recent of which came in a penalty shoot-out victory over AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005.

But while the fans might demand a swift return to European glory, Coutinho is careful to sound a note of caution.

"The fans might think that but I don't think the team should fall into the trap of looking so far ahead," Coutinho said. "It is better to play the games first and talk later.

"I believe we have a strong squad, new players have been brought in and we are in a good position to perform well in the Champions League. I don't think we need to be regarding ourselves as favourites or anything like that.

"I know the story of the game [in Istanbul], of course," the Brazil international added. "Everybody does. And I must say that at the time I felt sorry for Kaká.

"When Champions League games are shown live in Brazil it is in the afternoon. Even so they have become very popular in the last few years. People watch it as much as they watch Brazilian football, especially when Brazilian players are involved, such as Kaká or Ronaldinho."

While Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in the likes of Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, Coutinho has tipped Raheem Sterling - one of the club's home-grown players - to shine this season.

"He is in a very good moment and he is in great shape," Coutinho said. "I have been hearing people talking about his performance for England the other night and I cannot say I am surprised because we train together every day.

"I know his potential and I know the pace he has. I do not have the speed to catch him!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd