The return of Phillipe Coutinho, Liverpool’s midfield maestro, to the Brazilian national side has been received with praise from no one less than Neymar, the country’s captain and talismanic forward, as shown by his official Instagram page.

After Brazil managed a 1-0 win against Colombia, who they also faced in the quarter finals of this summer’s World Cup, Neymar put a selfie with the Liverpool star on his Instagram, also taking time out to say how happy he was with Coutinho’s return.

Coutinho gained what is only his second cap for Brazil in the match against Colombia, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.

Neymar said, as a caption to the photograph: “So good to meet up this guy again, my friend and teammate since we played in U16s.

“He’s become a bit cheeky now but I forgive him [laughs] we are together Couto, I love you pal.”

Brazil now travel to New Jersey for a game on Tuesday, when they will face off against Ecuador.

Coutinho has developed into an integral player for Liverpool since his move from Inter Milan, and there were significant questions over his exclusion from the national side for this summer’s World Cup.