Brazilian Starlet Arrives for Medical as Liverpool Continue to Strengthen – Report

Philippe Coutinho has today arrived at Liverpool's Melwood training ground to complete his medical as he appears set to become Brendan Rodgers' second major signing in the January transfer window.

The Brazil international arrived on Merseyside on Monday afternoon and should he pass his medical and agree personal terms then Liverpool officials will have to head to London in order to secure a work permit.

Coutinho has played just once for Brazil and therefore does not automatically qualify but the club remain confident that they will have no trouble gaining the necessary paperwork.

The Liverpool Echo has reported that the Reds expect an answer from the Home Office almost immediately and are increasingly confident that the deal will be announced within the next 24 hours.

Liverpool agree a fee of £8.5million with Internazionale for the 20-year-old and Rodgers will be hoping that he can have an instant impact after the disappointing performance in the 3-2 loss to Oldham in the FA Cup.

The former Swansea manager was livid with the performance of his young players and is desperate for the team to have a positive response, which will not be easy as their next two Premier League games are away at Arsenal and then Manchester City.

Liverpool fans will certainly be hoping that Coutinho can make an instant impact, much in the same way that Daniel Sturridge has impressed since sealing his move from Chelsea earlier in the month.

Coutinho may have found it difficult to force his way into the Inter first team on a regular basis, but he has shown glimpses of his talent during his spell in Italy and in Spain where he impressed on a six month loan spell with Espanyol.

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez clearly had a lot of faith in the attacking midfielder as he was handed his first start in a Champions League fixture against Werder Bremen back in September 2010.

Coutinho was a regular under Benitez as he played 20 times in his first season but has recently found it difficult to force his way into the plans of manager Andrea Stramaccioni.