7 - Philippe Coutinho - V1

[serghei]

Where is the whole "he is AM" is coming from? Coutinho was always a LW before he arrived, he played AM with his club only a season and half (last half season with Liverpool, and 14/15 season) and if we have tried to sign him before that half season. needless to say in both times Liverpool midfield improved when he was no longer a midfielder. And again this was said by many before who he was signed. People were truly imagining things when they though he is Iniesta heir in midfield
Coutinho was always a Neymar replacement, same with Dembele, and EV is surely an idiot that he didn't see that before he was signed after staying here for half (successful) season where he should had a say in the transfer.

Coutinho played attacking midfielder for Brazil, and played attacking midfielder for Liverpool a lot of times. Even in the times of Brendan Rogers, the front three was often Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling and Coutinho played in a playmaking role in midfield. Under Klopp since Mane was signed for the LW spot, he played the same, attacking midfield. Played the same role for Brazil at the World Cup. Neymar on LW, and Coutinho as a creative midfielder just behind him.

His position is attacking midfielder. Iniesta as an AM used to appear in wider positions too, just like Coutinho. Even played winger sometimes as well, also on LW IIRC. Coutinho was never a clear winger even if he played there. He is more attacking midfielder than anything.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Coutinho played attacking midfielder for Brazil, and played attacking midfielder for Liverpool a lot of times. Even in the times of Brendan Rogers, the front three was often Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling and Coutinho played in a playmaking role in midfield. Under Klopp since Mane was signed for the LW spot, he played the same, attacking midfield. Played the same role for Brazil at the World Cup. Neymar on LW, and Coutinho as a creative midfielder just behind him.

He played AM or RW with NT due to Neymar, never argued against that,
But only one and half seasons LW wasn't his main position during his whole career. He surely was used tactically as AM from time to time, but AM was always his 2nd position and LW was always his main position.
There is a difference between he played there lot of times, and being his actual position

 

[serghei]

He played AM or RW with NT due to Neymar, never argued against that,
But only one and half seasons LW wasn't his main position during his whole career. He surely was used tactically as AM from time to time, but AM was always his 2nd position and LW was always his main position.
There is a difference between he played there lot of times, and being his actual position

In recent seasons, AM was his position. Klopp signed Mane because he was an improvement over Coutinho, because Coutinho was never a very good fit wide. Not enough pace and not enough goals to play in a position where finishing skills and 1 vs 1 speed and penetration counts a lot more than some golazos here and there.

I remember Liverpool's trio being Suarez Sturidge Sterling a while back. Unless Coutinho was a substitute back then how did he play as a winger? On every site almost Coutinho is listed as an attacking midfielder.

 

[Messigician]

We can't afford to play with an AM. Did you not see how many goals we were shipping when Coutinho played midfield? We cannot afford to experiment at this stage of the season

 

[serghei]

We can't afford to play with an AM. Did you not see how many goals we were shipping when Coutinho played midfield? We cannot afford to experiment at this stage of the season

That's the issue man. We should afford to play with an AM. We often played with an AM in the past, be it Iniesta, or Deco. Even if we had offensive weapons like Ronnie, Eto'o, Messi, Henry or others.

Just because you have great attackers doesn't mean the midfield should be devoid of any creativity. Those players still need good service, especially in the big games. If neither one of your midfielders is used in a creative role, who is gonna provide that service against the big boys?

 

[khaled_a_d]

In recent seasons, AM was his position. Klopp signed Mane because he was an improvement over Coutinho, because Coutinho was never a very good fit wide. Not enough pace and not enough goals to play in a position where finishing skills and 1 vs 1 speed and penetration counts a lot more than some golazos here and there.

I remember Liverpool's trio being Suarez Sturidge Sterling a while back. Unless Coutinho was a substitute back then how did he play as a winger? On every site almost Coutinho is listed as an attacking midfielder.

Mane played RW, not LW when he was signed. Attacking trio was Coutinho Friminho Mane. That was one of the reasons many said Salah was signed as bench player (you can check it in his thread)
During 13/14 season they used a lot of formations with 442/4231/433 and Cou was playing between LW, LM & AM

 

[khaled_a_d]

That's the issue man. We should afford to play with an AM. We often played with an AM in the past, be it Iniesta, or Deco. Even if we had offensive weapons like Ronnie, Eto'o, Messi, Henry or others.

Just because you have great attackers doesn't mean the midfield should be devoid of any creativity. Those players still need good service, especially in the big games. If neither one of your midfielders is used in a creative role, who is gonna provide that service against the big boys?

But neither Iniesta & Deco was never pure AM like Cou (when he plays that position), Coutinho is the kind of AM that need to be protected with 2 workhorses DM basically.

 

[serghei]

Mane played RW, not LW when he was signed. Attacking trio was Coutinho Friminho Mane. That was one of the reasons many said Salah was signed as bench player (you can check it in his thread)
During 13/14 season they used a lot of formations with 442/4231/433 and Cou was playing between LW, LM & AM

OK, so at best he was used in many roles during his career between attacking midfielder, wide midfielder and winger, which shows that he is a versatile player, but also a challenging one to work with, that needs a good manager to get the best out of.

 

[D10S_JC]

That's the issue man. We should afford to play with an AM. We often played with an AM in the past, be it Iniesta, or Deco. Even if we had offensive weapons like Ronnie, Eto'o, Messi, Henry or others.

Just because you have great attackers doesn't mean the midfield should be devoid of any creativity. Those players still need good service, especially in the big games. If neither one of your midfielders is used in a creative role, who is gonna provide that service against the big boys?

Coutinho is similar to Ozil, Mata and James. A type of "luxury player".
Deco and Iniesta both contribute much more in defense. They have better positioning and anticipation skills.

 

[serghei]

Coutinho is similar to Ozil, Mata and James. A type of "luxury player".
Deco and Iniesta both contribute much more in defense. They have better positioning and anticipation skills.

Didn't seem a luxury player at Liverpool.

 

[Messigician]

Didn't seem a luxury player at Liverpool.

Have Liverpool missed him? No? Then there's your answer.

If anything they are doing substantially better with balance in the midfield.

They were leaking goals with him much like we were

 

[Barcilliant]

He needs to raise his work ethic and modify his game. At the moment he is simply not good enough attack or defense wise. His mind just isn't there. I don't know if it's Valverde, personal issues or just a dip in form but he seems very out of sorts.

 

[abiabi]

You guys are such spoiled brats.

I think Real Madrid miss the luxury days of having James and Morata in the bench. Now they have Mariano and Vazquez.

Eriksen is not better than Cou, he wouldn't start for FCBarca, if he cant start for Spurs.

 

[Messigician]

You guys are such spoiled brats.

I think Real Madrid miss the luxury days of having James and Morata in the bench. Now they have Mariano and Vazquez.

Eriksen is not better than Cou, he wouldn't start for FCBarca, if he cant start for Spurs.

We are not Real Madrid

 

[xXKonan]

Don't think anyone is acting like Spoiled brats here.

People are pretty concerned that our 160 Million euro signing is struggling to find a spot on the team so far. it's true he came back from injury but even before his injury, he was on a steady decline in terms of performances and people were pointing out how it seemed he seemed gassed by 60 mins and his influence on the game was declining.

The current discussion is about whether it's solely down to Valverde or is it just Coutinho perhaps not the right player for us.