21 Oct 2015 11:17:31
Lots of talk about Coutinho and possible interest from Real or, more likely, Barcelona. Not sure if there is any substance to this. Also quotes being attributed to Coutinho himself, talking about wanting to join a club in the Champions League if we don't qualify this year. Obviously there are plenty of clubs that could offer Champions League football but I find the links with the Spanish big two a little fanciful, and certainly wouldn't see this being a transfer with a value in the Sterling/ Suarez bracket.

First things first, to be clear, I rate Coutinho. I do find his end product a little frustrating at times but he is arguably our stand-out creative player at the moment, has the occasional wonder goal in him and seems to be able to stay fit most of the time. For me, where we're at right now, he should be one of the first names on the team sheet. However, being a nailed on starter for a Liverpool team whose current realistic aspiration is to finish top four, is very different from making an impact at Real or Barcelona. To make a mark at either of those clubs, an attacking player needs to be at the level of Ronaldo, Rodriguez, Bale, Neymar, Suarez and Messi. I don't think even the most loyal and passionate supporter of Coutinho would put him in that bracket. Furthermore, if the likes of Barcelona are in the market for another attacker/ attacking midfielder to augment or replace their current crop of outstanding players, I think there would be plenty of players around Europe who they would go after before Coutinho if they were going for a big money signing.

I don't base this on any stats or facts, so feel free to put me in my place, but whenever I watch Liverpool I normally end up a little frustrated with Coutinho's final ball and end product. Whether it's a mis-placed (and possibly over ambitious) pass, or an unsuccessful dribble, he does seem to lose possession fairly frequently. Despite that, as I said, I would still have him in the team - hopefully alongside Firmino soon - as the man tasked with creating for Sturridge and/or Benteke.

1.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 12:00:57
Coutinho is our best player right now. But I wouldn't be too worried about him going. We had firmino and lallana or even teixeira (spelling) I don't think coutinho is consistent enough to be on regular starting 11 for Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But ultimately it's up to him to decide I believe there's other factor for him to consider which we miss out.

If I'm coutinho I'm definitely staying at Liverpool for 2/3 more season cause of Klopp.

2.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 12:11:27
when coutinho first came to us and got settled his passing was out of this world, he has stopped that recently and concentrated on the shooting aspect of his game, which is fine but we there has to be a balance, he shoots when there has been a better choice sometimes. I love coutinho but he needs to find the balance of being the passing magician and the shooting master he can be.

Barca and Madrid - If i'm honest i ithink it is to soon for him to go to a club like Madrid or Barcelona as like you said the crop of players they have, he would either have to push out Rodriguez, Ronaldo, Messi or Neymar and that just won't happen, so he will be sat on the bench.

3.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 12:12:19
I think on his day he would get in a big teams starting lineup, but would he get game time when you got james bale Isco Ronaldo jese competing for 2 spots the way Benitez has set them up? Barcelona play the 4-3-3 and when messi is back, him Suarez Neymar is clearly first choice over anyone with arda there too, so unless he plays cm with busquets and rakitic and replaces iniesta then I see it unlikely. I just don't think he's consistently that level yet.

4.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 12:13:27
I understand the point you want to make RR, but to try and quantify why Barcelona or Real would want Coutinho is pointless. Barcelona have an interest in him, and have started using their usual means to get into the players head through his international teammates. If they believe he is good enough, that is enough, and no amount of justification on our part is needed.

They obviously want him because they feel he can settle into their system and be effective, and subjective opinions of us fans will matter little to their stance or our stance, if we want to sell.

5.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 12:32:13
Just make sure before he leaves every day he looks at the careers of players like Hleb and Song.

6.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 12:54:38
Fency i agree with 'yet' . Also alyb o agree with your comment good post! Although i was thinking would he find it easyer playing in spain?

7.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 13:57:53
Coutinho would fit in well in Spain in my opinion, that extra space available because of the slow measured pace they play on the continent will give him time to pick his pass and may even allow for more goals. Goals being Coutinho's big downfall in my opinion, he doesn't pose a big enough threat for me. He is undoubtedly our best player at present and our biggest threat but his lack of goals and inconsistency let him down hugely. In my honest opinion he doesn't work hard enough to get the ball, he waits until the ball comes to him rather than running into a position where he is available. I would be disappointed to see him leave but I don't think it would be the end of the world. He has been one of BR's better purchases but I think Klopp could and would invest the money his sale would bring more wisely than his predecessor.

8.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 15:58:11
Coutinho at his best was playing through the middle in an advanced role. He had 3 players ahead of him who were full of movement and pace, coutinho had all the ability in the world to find them. He wasn't expected to track the full backs to the edge of his own box as he has done recently playing very regularly as a winger for us.
To lose him would be yet another disaster for us, he needs playing in a number 10 role with quality ahead of him. Additionally he needs protection behind him as he got from Henderson and Gerrard, with the extra bit of quality that Gerrard could offer in the quarter back role.

9.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 17:02:40
You're trying to convince yourself that Coutinho isn't leaving. Here's some advice, don't think about it.

10.) 21 Oct 2015
21 Oct 2015 21:09:12
Couts is better coming in from the left because he has the whole field to aim at, IMO. I haven`t seen the best of him when played centrally behind two strikers.

11.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 09:38:41
I can definitely see Coutinho as a potential replacement for the ageing Iniesta. Play him left side of a midfield 3 with the freedom to roam a little and concentrate on passing. His passing when he first joined us was great feeding Sturridge, he could work wonders with Neymar, Suarez and Messi infront of him.
I think Rodgers maybe instructed him to shoot more often instead of go for that killer ball throughout last season.