Gutted this season has come to an end, nah not because we've found some decent form, nor because it's more games to run down Suarez's ban, but because I don't get to watch this lad (Coutinho) play. Their's certain players that make you get off your seat in anticipation as soon as they get the ball, almost as if you know they're going to do something positive with the ball and create something. Only a handful of players in the last 10 years have done this to me.. Gerrard, Torres, Suarez and now Coutinho. 20 years old but plays like he's at his peak, single handedly unlocking defences, plays the game 2 steps infront of everyone on the pitch and the best thing, he will only get better. Next season I'm very optimistic, I'm not going to make any brash predictions, but I will say this - We will surprise a lot of people, even some of our own. And Coutinho has the potential to front this, for me he's the most natural gifted player in our team right now. If we can keep Suarez and build we will be on the verge of something very good. There was an article posted recently stating that this is our best squad in 4 years - it isn't, but it can be this Summer. Add players who can play alongside your Coutinhos, Suarezs and Gerrards, then you have potentially one of the best first elevens in the league. Of course if's and but's, and a lot of rivals will disagree, maybe some of you will too but this is the first time in a long time I look at our first team and think - We potentially have something here. Anyway, back on topic - Coutinho, will he grow even more as a player next season? PS - I rate Coutinho
He is proving to be a fantastic purchase and one which I have to say I'm very jealous of! It's going to be an exciting summer and an even more interesting season next year for many reasons. Signings made during this window (especially ones like Coutinho who hit the ground running) could be vital in causing a potential shake up next season, with 4 of the top 6 clubs under new management. With Everton losing Moyes, there's the potential of a transition period which might result in a 7-8th place finish if players leave, or it takes the new manager time to settle. (I know that's music to your ears) If you guys go for it and get the players you need, you could well be challenging for top 4. Liverpool are in a similar position to Spurs in terms of what needs to be done this summer. Rodgers came in, it didn't start too well, but he stuck to his guns and now has you playing good football having made some excellent purchases, and you finished the season very well, looking like a completely different team. The board need to back him now and let him bring in more players like Coutinho and Sturridge, who he has got the best out of. - The same applies to AVB with what he had available, and now the weak positions need to be strengthened... big time. 3 new managers for the top 3 clubs, could well make the season unpredictable next year and Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool might be able to capitalise, IMO. But which club will show their intentions first? Like I say, an interesting summer awaits us.
True that mate, I think for both clubs keeping Suarez/Bale will be key. It seems as if each Summer gets more and more important, but it's so key to spend wisely. Last Summer despite spending 30m, none of our signings bought anything to our first team, and nothing really to our squad. That just can't happen again for us, we need more Sturridge/Coutinho type signings rather than Borini/Allen type signings. If Spurs can get in a top striker then you'll be a real force next season, you always seem to get linked with one but it never quite turns out for one reason or another. Damiao would be a great signing, you seem to get linked with him a lot, there clearly is an interest. Like you say, a very interesting Summer awaits, I also expect Arsenal to do some good business.. You never know with them lot though.
He's magic to watch, he really does work hard, drifts into space, fantastic first touch, great vision and passing, scores (Sundays goal he hit sweet as a nut). He will however get marked pretty tight next season. Certain teams will push a midfielder onto him and he'll take more of a kicking. He certainly looks like he can handle it and if he can he's going to be an absolute nightmare for the opposition. If you read this post Jesus please have a word with your ol' man to keep him fit
The good thing about Coutinho is I don't think he'll get 'worked out' next season, as many youngsters (most recently James McLean) do. Teams aren't even getting close to him at the moment, so there's some way to go to nullify him. He gets that through ball in so quickly, and often to a player nobody was expecting. So difficult to read it as a defender. Plus he's got the nous to try something different if he needs to.
That's fine. Clubs can 'suss' him out all they want (which equates to sticking a man on him hardly figuring him out) but either way, that just leaves more space for Suarez. I'm fine with that. If we even sign a forward player who can use space which Downing cannot, even better. They can't man mark our whole team for an entire game. Not practical.
Was sceptical about Coutinho before he came to us. (Weve had alot of players that were supposed to be great.) But this guy is the real deal. Suarez, Gerrard, Coutinho, Sturridge + signings can pull teams all over the place creating constant space. Such a shame the season had to end. Cant wait for preseason
I knew he was a good player with immense potential but I didn't expect him to make an impact so quickly. I agree that next season will be more difficult because the opposition will get closer to him but he has the intelligence and maturity to deal with it. Such a special little player and has already established himself as one of the fixtures in the first team, but I hope Rodgers keeps him in the number 10 role i.e central rather than sticking him out on the wing. And Spearing makes a great point - teams can stick 2-3 men on him, it just means that there is more space for Suarez and Sturridge to damage. This was the problem we had over the past few seasons - mark Suarez and nullify his threat, then we have no-one else who can score/create.
the reply to this is; HANG ON!!! coutinho has a lot to prove here. LEts just compare to papis cisse, great january to may, nowhere then last season. Coutinho needs to come back next year and kick on again. Thats his challenge. Jimmy at least says as much cos it will be diffiult for him next season cos every team will have his number. I hope he can find ways to continue to make and score goals. He's still very young and i think you are putting too much on him.
Nothing wrong with a bit of optimism MITO, it's not like he's going to be reading this Weird comparison to Cisse, he came in and scored goals, shifted Ba out of position and ultimately scored a few goals. Coutinho has a lot more about him in nearly every area of the pitch, I think it's more reasonable to compare him to Suarez. Expectation comes with the club, of course next season will be tougher for him and of course he'll want to improve, goes without saying really, but the point of the OP was to suggest he can handle it and be important, nothing wrong with appreciating a player mate
I am optimisitc he won't vanish but the comparision is not playing style its someone who turns up in jauary, looks great then the next season does nothing. I reckon he can do ok but he's got to learn to cope with the attention form all aorund including defenders looking to kick him out of games. Its a big test. #nooverburdensplease
