17 Aug 2017 13:31:27
I really don't know what all the fuss is about with coutinho. Yes he is a game changer on his day, but he lacks the consistency to be a world class player at this time. He's not even close to the level of Suarez, Gerrard, Alonso or Torres were when they played for Liverpool. I'd personally be more disappointed if Liverpool were going to sell Firmino. I'd say if Liverpool can get upwards of £90 million quid for him I'd sell him asap and get a good CD to play alongside Matip (hopefully VVD) as clearly Lovren and Klavan are not nearly good enough. In fact when I hear Man C are looking at Johnny Evans I'd say he's better than both of them.
Also I know it's getting late in the window but until Liverpool finish the job off against Hoffenheim and actually qualify for the CL group stages I would guess that FSG will be reluctant to spend big. Maybe if and when they qualify they might push the boat out.

Just thought I'd throw my thoughts into the discussion.


1.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 13:39:05
Raine, Cou will be missed on the pitch and you are fooling yourself if you think the contrary. You have to be able to separate the fact that yes, he wants to leave and his importance to us on the pitch. You are conflating both of them. Also, saying that FSG are waiting for us to make CL first before spending big is patently false. We made two bids for Keita worth big money and had RBL agreed, Keita would be here and that was long before the CL playoff. Finally, if you think we will just find his replacement or just buy certain players to fill the squad then you are wrong. Every club will not release their best players this late in the window. And if they do, they will stick us for all that Cou money which may lead to panic-buying. These are the dangers you are missing.


2.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 13:50:47
It's not about that man, we know there are better players in the world. But it is about us losing our star player, yet again, just as we are making strong attacking developments as a team. It sets us back hugely if we lose him, and again it will be to a giant in Spain.
What's more, there is no one out there of similar quality who will be available this summer, so we will almost certainly be weakened as a result of his sale.


3.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 14:06:45
Whether he stays or goes, Coutinho is a 50 percenter for me.
On his day he is superb and capable of scoring match-winning goals from outrageous angles and distances. He can thread a pass or dribble through a packed defence. He was our top scorer last year and on his day he is irreplaceable.
Problem is, that doesn't happen week in, week out. There are matches where he goes into his shell or gets man-marked into a silent display.
I don't feel like we are about to lose a player of the calibre of Torres or Suarez. We will miss Coutinho in certain games, for sure, but 100m quid for someone who isn't a consistent, high-level performer? That amount of dosh for a player that can only occasionally be described as world-class? Take the wad of green and run straight to Leipzig imo.


4.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 14:13:07
Voronins

It doesn't happen week in week out

Coz he is either targeted by the opppsition or injured brutally. Managers man mark him and takes him out from the game as they are fully aware he is the creative outlet in the side.
I don't remember Coutinho having a stinker in a long long time without being injured or man marked.
Remember Jose deploying Ander Herrera on Coutinho?


5.) 17 Aug 2017
17 Aug 2017 15:15:15
Honestly. Some people are clueless. There's a reason Barcelona are willing to make him the worlds 2nd most expensive player. He's already world class and still improving. We won't replace him cos he can't be replaced ( at least not immediately) the best hope is that we buy someone with a lot of potential and get them to a higher level or adapt how we play and bring in alternate type players.