Neymar, who is now out with the mumps and missed Barcelona’s UEFA Super Cup triumph over Sevilla, is fit for the friendlies and leads the attack for Brazil, which hasn’t played since being bounced by Paraguay in the Copa America quarterfinals.
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Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva have been left off Brazil’s squad to face Costa Rica and the United States next month in friendlies that are part of 2018 World Cup qualifying preparation.
Reds new boy Roberto Firmino retains his place, however, while Selecao have recalled Kaka after a near year-long absence.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho has been somewhat surprisingly omitted, while Danilo, Oscar and Luiz Gustavo all come back in after missing the Copa America with injury.
Coutinho was centre stage again on Sunday as he scored a wonder strike with just four minutes to go, allowing Liverpool to secure all three points against Stoke City in their first game of the new season.
Kaka has previously stated Brendan Rodgers should build his Liverpool team around Coutinho, with the midfielder capable of filling the void left by Steven Gerrard.
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Kaka continued to say Coutinho “is a humble guy” and that whilst Gerrard is an irreplaceable “legend” – he can be the guy to step up to the plate and replace the former captain’s impact on Merseyside.
