Steven Gerrard was asked after Thursday’s 3-0 win at Leeds United whether a strong finish to the season could help Aston Villa attract a higher calibre of player in the summer.
The legendary former Liverpool captain’s biggest challenge will surely be to turn Philippe Coutinho’s temporary move into a permanent transfer.
Since arriving on loan from Barcelona in January, Gerrard’s ex-Anfield team-mate has proved an outstanding capture, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
After watching Coutinho open the scoring at Elland Road, inspiring Villa to a third successive Premier League win, Gerrard spoke of adding to his squad and potentially signing his Brazilian playmaker on a permanent basis.
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“Phil is in a top place and will get all the credit again because he’s in magical form and people enjoy watching him,” said Gerrard.
“The players are loving working and playing with him, we’re enjoying coaching him, and you can hear the support for him.
“Could a strong end to the season help us with our recruitment? I don’t think it can do us any harm.
“But in the last window we managed to attract Coutinho and Lucas Digne and we attracted them in the bottom half of the league.
“So, credit to the recruitment lads who first and foremost identified those players because they have made this group a lot better. “Having names like that in through the door can help attract further additions.
“The most pleasing thing for me has been the support I’ve had from the top, it’s been really impressive. “Finishing the season high and strong can only be a benefit in my opinion.”
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Whether or not the 29-year-old can be persuaded to join Villa on a permanent basis remains to be seen.
But the Midlands club have an option to make the Brazilian’s stay permanent in the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £33m.
“I think you all know what my decision would be,” admitted Gerrard.
“I think you all know what I think of him but this is not as straightforward as people think. There is obviously an option in place, Barcelona still own the player.
“Phil has got to obviously want to be here in terms of the big picture but he is enjoying his football and looks happy and settled. I know the owners are very ambitious, so we will just analyse it as we go along. But if it was totally on me and it was my cash you know what I would do.”
Gerrard, meanwhile, will cross swords with Everton adversary David Moyes on Sunday when Villa travel to West Ham.
The Anfield legend added: “I know how his teams set up because of all the challenges we had against Everton back in the day, they were always well drilled, they were always really honest in how they went about their work.
“I’ve managed to meet David a couple of times around the game and he’s a top guy, a really humble guy.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for the job he has done at West Ham and it’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”
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