Liverpool playmaker called up to Brazil squad to replace dropped Chelsea duo

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Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been called up to the Brazil squad following the withdrawing, through injury, of Chelsea pair Oscar and Ramires.

The Selecao are set to meet Costa Rica on September 5 and the United States three days later, matches which now give Coutinho an opportunity to stake a claim for a more prominent role for the national side.

The Liverpool man—whose late effort against Stoke City in the Reds’ opener was one of the early games of the season—will have the chance to compete with new Anfield teammate Roberto Firmino.

The former Hoffenheim man had been given the opportunity to impress for the Selecao recently, in place of unfit Neymar, but struggled to match the Barcelona man’s impact.

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Oscar’s injury, in particular, risks having a longer-term impact on the side, with several rivals for his spot behind the attacker.

Ramires has been replaced by Rafinha—the younger brother of Spain international Thiago Alcantara—while Dunga has already had to replace Dani Alves with Fabinho.

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