07 Aug 2017 14:01:23
In the 2013-14 season we came close to winning the league title with Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling up top. Three players who like to make runs in behind the opposition, which gave Coutinho plenty of options to utilise his world class passing ability from a central midfield position.

In the 2014-15 season we finished 6th. With Suarez gone and Sturridge injured for the majority of the season, Coutinho had the likes of Lambert and Balotelli ahead of him who were not the type to make runs in behind. This almost completely nullified Coutinho's passing qualities, having only a young, still inexperienced Sterling and an ineffective Borini willing to run.

In the 2015-16 season we finished 8th. After seemingly realising that immobile forwards do not suit our attacking style of play we shipped out Lambert and Balotelli, but then brought in another immobile player in Benteke (go figure) . And with Sterling and Borini now gone Coutinho was moved up to play on the left wing where he was not as effective.

In the 2016-17 season (Klopp's first full season) we finished 4th. With Benteke now gone Klopp looked to Firmino to lead the line who unlike Benteke, Balotelli and Lambert who were before him; presses off the ball and makes runs in behind the opposition. Klopp also brought in Mané - a forward with real quality and pace to get in behind the opposition. There were huge improvements made last season, however Coutinho was still restricted having been played once again on the left wing for the majority of the season.

You can see from above that Coutinho has to play a central role with runners ahead of him and at the end of last season Klopp discussed his intention to move Coutinho into a deeper midfield role. For years I and probably many Liverpool supporters have been sayings "build the team around Coutinho" who's qualities have been there for all to see. Salah was brought in so that this could be made possible, which is why I cannot see Klopp allowing Coutinho's departure; at least not this summer.

What I like about Coutinho is that he is a true professional. No drama, he just gets on with the task at hand without complaining. With the forwards he's had to put up with over the last 3 years, as well as being stuck out on the left wing I'm surprised he's stuck around this long and signed a new contract with the club. But it shows the kind of person he is. He is still young and I'm sure he would relish a title fight and a good champions league run with us before packing his bags for Barcelona. If he is worth €90m now after being stuck out on the left wing for the best part of two seasons, imagine his worth next summer after playing in his most effective position with real quality ahead of him.

Red Rum.

1.) 07 Aug 2017
07 Aug 2017 14:15:14
Well said.

2.) 07 Aug 2017
07 Aug 2017 14:23:28
I agree, But scoring goals wasn't always our problem really. It was the soft goals we conceded that meant dropped points.

3.) 07 Aug 2017
07 Aug 2017 14:32:42
Great post - My concern is it's FSG, our owners, that will decide if he stays or goes.

They were quick to shoot Arsenal down ( publicly )
over Suarez, where's klopp's backing?

4.) 07 Aug 2017
07 Aug 2017 18:20:52
Doesn't matter he wants to leave he is trying to do it nicely if we don't listen to that and allow him his move it will turn sour.