Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has revealed that teammate Lucas Leiva has been a father figure for him since moving to Merseyside.

The 20-year-old Brazilian made the switch to Anfield from Inter Milan in January, but has yet to grasp the English language.

"It has been a great help," Coutinho told the club's official website. "I don't speak English and I can only speak and understand a little bit of Spanish.

"Lucas speaks Portuguese and has helped me a lot. He has been like a father to me and that has helped me a lot.

"[Luis] Suarez and Sebastian [Coates] have also helped me. If somebody wants to tell me something, when they are around they can help me understand, so it has been very important their presence here for me."

Coutinho has netted two goals and made as many assists since joining Liverpool.