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Where will Coutinho fit in?

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Coutinho signs for LiverpoolLIVERPOOL FC secured the services of Brazilian youngster Coutinho from Inter Milan for £8.5million just before the conclusion of the January transfer window; however, Reds fans are yet to see the 20 year old in action after Brendan Rodgers allowed the midfielder time to get used to the whirlwind effect a cross-continent transfer can provide.

Coutinho, who comes with big expectations despite losing his way at Inter, is now available to be selected to play for Rodgers, and our Monday night game at Anfield against West Bromwich Albion affords the Brazilian his first opportunity to taste Premier League action, should he be chosen to perform.

If selected, questions have to be asked about where Coutinho will play. He has arrived with a reputation of being somewhat of a ‘number 10’ but can also put in a shift on the wing as he is fortunate to be blessed with natural pace and impeccable vision.

For me, due to the recent improvement in form of Jordan Henderson and the resurgence of Steven Gerrard, Coutinho will struggle to claim the ‘number 10’ role from the off. However, with Raheem Sterling and Stewart Downing both struggling for form and Oussama Assaidi evidently out of favour, the Brazilian could be given an opportunity to shine out wide and if he can couple his pace with some creativity then he will become instantly endeared by the Anfield faithful.

His size and stature allows him to perfectly fit into either the ‘number 10’ role or on the wing as his low centre of gravity and direct approach can become a major problem for opposition defences. Rodgers would be foolish to deploy Coutinho in a deeper central midfield role as, with a distinct lack of height and strength, our new number 10 would struggle to adapt to the physical side of the English style of play.
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Hopefully, Coutinho can arrive and become an instant success on the wing and, in turn, that will be the catalyst for Raheem Sterling to step up his game and improve his recent form. Also, you never know, Downing may also become more committed to the cause with his position under threat again.

One thing that is essential in Coutinho’s development at the club is the patience of the fans. There will be times in the next twelve months where we have to watch the Brazilian through gritted teeth as the frustration that comes with his style of play will be there for all to see. However, I strongly believe that if he is given the necessary time to prove himself he will turn out to be a true bargain at just £8.5 million.
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32 comments

  • rodgers will be stupid playin him outwide…we need that mid creativity assaidi sud compet wit downin out wide am sick of rodgers not given him any oppurtnity at all

    • phil says:

      assaidi is not even good enough to play for any prem team let alone a team like Liverpool

    • TaintlessRed says:

      He will play out wide. Rodgers would be ‘stupid’, if you want to use such a strong term, to play him ahead of Suarez on the no. 10 position. Coutinho did very well for Espanyol playing wide left, this is a better position for him to start out and as years progress and if he impresses he will get more chances central.
      Agree with you on Assaidi. I suspect he won’t be good enough but to buy him and then never even play him to see how he would do is foolish.

  • RoytheRed says:

    Surely has HAS to be better than Downing!

  • phil says:

    i have doubts whether coutinho will fit in at all , only liverpool and southampton wer in for him , and apparently Inter have been slapping themselves on the backs for getting so much money for him

  • GAZ says:

    Prob take him few weeks to get used to EPL _ should give him few reserve games to get him used to it . Dont know if Coutinho will have the strength to cope yet he is only young

    • TaintlessRed says:

      May be a good idea giving him a few games in reserves, especially since he’s been injured of late. This’ll give him time also to settle into the city without the pressure of performing for the 1st team at the same time. But nowadays I think it’s unlikely, I doubt he’ll even make the bench versus West brom.

  • frank says:

    The comments above suggests that the writers are way above the intelligence of BR. WHY DON’T THEY APPLY FOR br’S JOB?

  • chris says:

    our teams quality but young and weak thats our main problem at the mo too many small/weak players so wot do we do take on more, bet yet another flop he floped outta italy then floped outta spain and then we pay 8.5mil for the flop. why buy players with the same pro’s and con’s of the ones weve got.

  • Neo1983 says:

    Juninhio and Zola were small and so was Overmars and the list can go on. The size if an attacking, Skillfull and flamboyant should not be an issue.

  • bjowolabi says:

    Will be very glad to see u eat ur word wen coutinho start to flourish for us(lfc). I support u philippe coutinho to make ur doubter sing ur praise! YNWA

  • Ant87 says:

    I think most of you need to take your heads for a wobble. You’re all beating the lad before he’s even played a game. Irritates me how half of you call yourself liverpool fans. I for one hope he gets a chance. Stop criticising and start supporting your team. Nuff said!

    • M . Kiely says:

      Nobody is criticising dimwit , people are expressing their doubts about the player thats all . Its not surprising people are sceptical after seeing the dreadful summer signings by Rodgers .

    • Chan says:

      We are not criticising the player, he should be given a chance.

      We are CRITICISING, the manager who had a history of making blunders ioh his mere 6 months here. Just look at Assaidi, Borini and Allen and this is just on signing players. Imagine what hwe can do if we give him 6 more.

  • sleeps with angels says:

    Iam excited by this young player! sammy lee was a midget but could he play? alan ball the ex blue the same,listen if the lad has desire then he will
    be as good as suarez mark my words!

  • Ray says:

    The fact that he warmed the bench at Inter means nothing! Messi warmed the bench under Frank Rikjard until given a chance by Pep. And today he’s the best player in history of football. Some managers can see what others can’t.

    • TaintlessRed says:

      People seem to be writing the boy off before they’ve even seen him play. Zaha cost Man U more money, has never played in the top division and everyone is raving about him. Coutinho at the same age has plated in the top division in Brazil, Italy and Spain. He did okay in Italy, did well in Brazil until he was 18 and did very well at Espanyol.
      For those saying he can’t be any good because inter sold him
      1) Vieira, Bergkamp & Henry were all sold at young ages by Italian clubs
      2) The main reason he didn’t play for Inter is that they play a back 3 with wing backs. The width is provided by the wing hacks and then the midfield is swamped to try and control games. There is no position for a winger. The only role Coutinho could play was the furthest forward of a central midfield 3,behind the two strikers. It’s understandable that a 20 year old isn’t started every game I’m such a key position.
      3) we play a back 4,and whether we’re playing 433 like we did for most of the season or 4411 like we have recently (with Suarez behind Sturridge) Coutinho can play wide left or right, as well as behind the striker, giving him a much a higher chance of playing.

      I’m not proclaiming him our saviour, I have the same worries about how he’ll deal with the Premier League, but I’m excited by his arrival and am looking forward to watch him play.

  • Imran says:

    All i have to say is… When Lucas arrived, we would all have run him down with our cars if we had seen him in the street… When Henderson came, we all wud have slapped that bobble head silly. Look at em now… Even Downing is impressing of late…Give the lad a chance and he might surprise us all. We keep wanting instant success when its not logical with the money available and not having the opp to choose from TOP players because of the clubs form. BR is doing what he can with what he has. Nag all you want, LFC will always be in ur hearts.. YNWA

  • redrum says:

    of course all Liverpool fans will give him a chance , but i cant get excited by any player Rodgers picks , with his past record i fear the worst with Coutinho

  • Jordan says:

    Terribly written article. How on earth is Downing struggling for form?

    • Elliott says:

      Hi Jordan,

      All I can say is if you think Downing is in form you do not know how a winger should play.

      Elliott

      • TaintlessRed says:

        I think this is as good as he gets. He is playing fairly well, but he’s still not a goal threat and won’t score regularly – he just doesn’t have it in his game to do so.

  • Karim says:

    Coutinho is Gerrards long term replacement.

  • jaydee says:

    i dont knw why y`all condemning countinho already when he hasn`t even played at all….BR signed he for a purpose so lets wait and see

  • John says:

    Agile player with a great work effort. Can dribble in tight spaces and prefers to take on defenders. He’s a skilled attacking midfielder which is actually what we need. The likes of Henderson and shelvey are working midfielders, are never gonna bring that decisive pass, they do the running for players like Coutinho. Great signing late in the window IMO. Can’t wait to see.

    YNWA

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