Philippe Coutinho is hoping he will soon become the most prolific Brazilian to have ever graced the Premier League.
The Liverpool forward is just one goal shy of matching the current record.
Former Middlesbrough player Juninho holds the current Premier League record with 29 top-flight goals – which were scored over three separate spells in the North East.
Coutinho took his tally to 28 with his strike in the 3-1 win over Everton on Saturday. He could add to that tally tonight when Liverpool host Bournemouth.
‘Hopefully I’ll get the chance to break that record soon,’ Coutinho said, before putting the focus on Liverpool.
‘Liverpool is a fantastic club. I was received really well by everybody when I first arrived here. It’s got fantastic staff and fans and it has a huge level of ambition which is really exciting to see.
‘I really think we’re returning to a period where we can achieve greatness and win titles. That’s the reason why I was attracted to stay here at Liverpool.
‘Getting into the Champions League is very important for the club and obviously it’s our aim. All the games are like finals now if we are going to achieve it. There are still a lot of points available to us and we need to win as many as we can.’
Juninho’s record has stood for some time, with his last Premier League goal scored in the 2003/04 season.
Numerous Brazilians have threatened to break it, but then departed before they did. Chelsea duo Oscar and Ramires, who scored 21 and 17 goals respectively, were on course before leaving for China. Robinho would have scored more than the 14 he managed had he settled at Manchester City.
While Coutinho looks certain to take the record, how long he holds it is another thing. His team-mate Roberto Firmino isn’t far behind – currently on 19 goals. Chelsea’s Willian, on 17 shouldn’t be discounted either.
Then there is Manchester City’s teenage sensation Gabriel Jesus. With three goals in his four Premier League games so far, he could rapidly be challenging.
Coutinho looked back to his best in the Merseyside derby and says he has now fully recovered from the injury he picked up earlier in the season.
‘My foot is definitely better,’ said the former Inter Milan player. ‘It’s fully cured now. There is no more problem with it.
‘It’s just that when you are playing very well and then you are out for a bit, after your return it’s not quite the same.
Liverpool's remaining fixtures
Middlesbrough (H) - Sun 21 May
‘It’s naturally going to take a bit of time to return to your best levels. You have to work very hard and hope that with that work you’ll improve and get back to playing how you were.
‘I’m physically better and I’m feeling more confident. The team is playing well again and we have to keep working to try and get better.’
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