Coutinho on the move – A GOOD thing for Liverpool
There’s not much 160-million Euros can’t fix and a Liverpool title bid is in amongst that.
The last time Liverpool were crowned Champions of England it was 1990 – Gary Lineker was league top goal-scorer for Spurs with 24 goals – England were preparing for Italia 1990 where they would be destine to kick a ball around until the Germans won on penalties.
This transfer window has been one for smashing the record books and Liverpool seem to be increasing their outlay to 92-million with finalising the signature of Naby Keïta. In addition to finally getting their man [Keïta], they have been prominently in the headlines due to their hottest property; Phillipe Coutinho.
The 25-year-old playmaker has been widely reported to want away from Anfield by submitting a formal transfer request, sparking much debate of whether he should be allowed to leave.
Oliver Holt, Chief Sports Writer at the Mail on Sunday, stated on Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement that a Coutinho exit would “destroy” Liverpool’s season. Ultimately Liverpool went on to play some scintillating football whilst defeating Arsenal 4-0 on Merseyside this weekend, despite an injured Phillipe not featuring. Which leads to the question, how key really is Coutinho to Liverpool?
Twitter: Timing of Philippe Coutinho’s departure to Barcelona ‘could destroy Liverpool’s season’ https://t.co/B973dyhssr https://t.co/xcS4lx1TN4 (@SundaySupp)
Graeme Souness has recently had his say on the situation, where despite his love for his Merseyside team, he would be “snapping their [Barcelona] hand off” when discussing the transfer bids Coutinho has been subject to. This has been expanded on a lot recently with last season debatably to be the Brazilians ‘best’ season at Anfield thus far. However Coutinho’s limited goals from midfield [13] and unimpressive asset tally of only 7 is proving to be the major concentration on justifying why Liverpool should accept the departure of the Brazilian midfielder.
Analysing this closer, in a total of 31 Premier League appearances last season, Coutinho failed to register a goal or an assist against any of the 3 teams finishing above Liverpool. In fact, only 4 of Coutinho’s 13 goals came against opposition finishing above 10th place, and only 2 of the 7 assists came against those finishing above 11th in the Premier League last season. Furthermore, since arriving at Liverpool the Brazilian international wasted the vast majority [total of 310] of his shots with only 31% hitting target.
This leads me back to my question; how key really is Coutinho to Liverpool Football Club?
Looking at the amount of money reportedly being offered and the recruitable personnel potentially available. I believe this is the time to cash in and look towards the future of the club by investing in youth and seriously competing for the Premiership. Just taking potential additions of Virgil van Dijk and Thomas Lemar as examples – this surely would be money well spent. A much closer look into these links, and a couple more, have been put together for you to make up your own minds.
What I do know for sure, with the Transfer Window due to close 31st August at 11PM, time is running out for Liverpool to cash in and rightly reinvest this extraordinary amount of money. A huge amount for a player who is wanting away from the historic club that, quite honestly, has had bigger and better talents grace the Anfield turf.