Brazil coach Tite has explained why he is set to start Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho in their World Cup qualifier against Bolivia on Friday. 

The Reds playmaker is expected to be selected for Brazil’s clash at the Arena das Dunas, according to the Liverpool website.

The 55-year-old says Coutinho has been influential in the previous qualifying matches and the Brazil coach believes that it’s his time to shine.

‘There’s a reason he is called the Magician [by Liverpool fans],’ Tite said.

‘With his passes, Coutinho opens the lines, creates space. I like his mobility, he was influential in both [previous qualifying] games when he came on.

‘Right now this is Coutinho’s moment. And in football, you have to follow the moment.’

The Little Canary are also set to take on Venezuela in their World Cup qualifier in Merida on Wednesday.