Suarez and Valverde rush to the defence of Coutinho after quiet Liga debut

Phillippe Coutinho in his debut against Alaves [Photo: Courtesy]

Record signing Philippe Coutinho will need time to settle into the Barcelona side after he made a quiet La Liga debut in a 2-1 win against Alaves on Sunday, coach Ernesto Valverde said.

All eyes were on the 142-million-pound ($200.87 million) playmaker but he was substituted in the second half for striker Paco Alcacer as Barca chased the game after falling behind to John Guidetti’s 23rd minute opener, eventually mounting a comeback with goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.