http://thebibtheorists.com/2013/11/19/philippe-coutinho-more-left-to-give/ [HR][/HR] Mark Simpson (@mrmarksimpson) takes a look at how Liverpool should deploy the fit again Philippe Coutinho and discusses how the Brazilian has adapted his game this season compared to last year. Philippe Coutinho Correia – aka Phil Coutinho – aka David Blaine – aka the man with the tiny magic feet. The ‘number ten’ has definitely settled well to life on Merseyside, despite being here for a relatively short period of time. Surprisingly, he is due to make only his 20th league appearance for Liverpool against Everton in this weekend’s Merseyside Derby, yet in such a short space of time he has made a big impact. So, what makes him so good, and why has he become such a key player for Liverpool FC? To answer this question, you need to look at the type of player that Brendan Rodgers is trying to bring in to “his” Liverpool team. ​•​Great Technique – Tick ​•​Good passing – Tick ​•​Calm under pressure – Tick ​•​Good pressing game – Tick Coutinho basically ticks all the boxes, and at having cost Liverpool just £8Million, he has proven to be one of the buys of the decade so far. I was lucky enough to be at the Swansea game for his full debut. Within 20 minutes not only had he scored his first goal for Liverpool but he had also assisted a goal for Luis Suarez. His movement, touch and final ball were a joy to watch. He would go on to make ten more appearances that season and by the summer, Liverpool fans were already clambering to get his name and number on the back of their new home shirts. Coutinho is the type of player that excites. When he gets the ball, the fans expect things to happen. However there was, and still is, a danger that we are going to be putting too much pressure on his 20 year old shoulders, however this does not seem to phase him. One of his great skills is the ability to pick a pass out from nowhere. Last season, the Brazilian created 20 goal-scoring opportunities with a 25% goal completion rate. This season, in only six games, he has already created nine opportunities for his teammates, the majority of them came at the weekend against Fulham where in fairness we were creating chances for fun. Having said that, it’s looking like Coutinho is starting to get back to the form that he has last year, which is a major boost for Liverpool. Not everything is the same as last year for Coutinho though. I believe that there is major contrast between this season and last in that Coutinho is not in the box as much. Last season you would see him going on runs and dribbling with the ball whilst running at defenders. This season however, you can see that he is eager to release the ball to a teammate a lot quicker. This could be because Coutinho now has two strikers ahead of to aim at, making it easier to find that killer pass Also, Coutinho is taking more shots at goal this season compared to last. In 13 games last year he had 20 attempts on goal. This year he has already had the same amount of shots despite playing seven fewer games. Despite playing well, Coutinho is yet to register with an assist or goal in the league this season and I believe there is a simple reason for this. Obviously, the challenge from Ashley Williams in September did not help as it caused Coutinho to miss two months of playing time, a layoff which means he is only now getting back to full fitness. However I believe that the Brazilians influence on games has somewhat dwindled as opposition defenders know more about him, and how integral he is to Liverpool. He arrived last January as a bit of an unknown quantity, where as now every opposition manager will be keen to stop him affecting games. Now that he’s back from injury, Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers in particular need to figure out where to deploy Coutinho. I I believe that he is more affective in the wide left position as he is given more time on the ball to pick out a pass. When he has played more centrally, he has been easier to pick up by the opposition’s defensive midfielder. Against Fulham, Coutinho played in the wide left position in what Brendan Rodger called a ‘fluid 4-4-2′ formation and demonstrated both sides of his game, which I love. Yes he has the attacking flair but this boy will work hard too! When you combine him and Jordan Henderson in the starting 11, they bring to the side an ability to press high up the pitch and win the ball back, a trait which was evident against Fulham. Any team that has to face Luis Suarez, Phil Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge this season will be all too aware of the problems they’ll likely encounter. Liverpool have had the luxury of playing these three players together just five times in 2013, yet in those games they have scored an incredible 16 goals. Liverpool currently sit second in the league, and do so despite having missed Coutinho and Suarez for plenty of the season. If the three players mentioned earlier can ‘click’ and help Liverpool carry on the amazing record of averaging over three goals a game when they play together, then the sky really is the limit. On a more personal level if Coutinho can start to get his assist and goal tally back together, he will be well on his way to winning more awards for himself, and you never know, the boy who was born in Rio de Janeiro could end his season playing there for his national team in the World Cup.
Already a very good player and with age he'll get better, long term very good contract in place please!
Coutinho came with a reputation and if I'm honest, I thought he was great potential who probably wouldn't have much an impact on the first team. But wow - he came straight in and is now a fixture in the team. Keep him injury free with one of Sturridge or Suarez, then we should have goals in the team.
Seriously though, watching the Fulham game with my non Liverpool mates. Whenever he got the ball, I said watch this lad. He looked sharp and dangerous every time. They were impressed.
I remember the Fulham game last year at Craven Cottage - that pass for Sturridge's 3rd goal was brilliant. Outside of the boot, perfect weight on it as well. The other standout assist was against Newcastle - everyone thought he would pass to Henderson, but he spotted Sturridge as well and fed it through to him instead. Wonderful little player.
Our problem will be holding onto him if we don't make CL places. But in the meantime he's one of those players you just love watching.
Some other fas write us off when it comes to Champions League but with Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho Rodgers really doesn't have any excuses we should be able to get 4th with the squad we have imo.
As much as I love the fella and think he is quality, I don't see him getting in. That team is firing on all cylinders right now and he has the likes of Bernard and Lucas Moura ahead of him. Would be very very tough man. Edit: In and around his position you currently have: Oscar Bernard Lucas Moura Hernanes Willian Hulk Neymar Robinho Pato Going to be tough.
Oscar Bernard Lucas Moura Hernanes Willian Hulk Neymar Robinho Red I think you are right, blue will be close, not highlighted I think they are shoe-ins and have been for awhile. Pato
What Oscar has that Coutinho doesn't is goals. When/If Coutinho can get that to his game, I think he will surpass Oscar. he has the assists, the invention, the ability to run with the ball and create with the passes but Oscar currently adds more end product. Man Brazil were on fire last night against Chile. They are going to be seriously tough to beat!!! Robinho was even good and just killing chile!!!
