Carragher: Coutinho becoming Liverpool’s new Suarez

Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says that Philippe Coutinho has replaced Luis Suarez as the club’s ‘go-to-man’, after the Uruguayan’s departure at the end of last season. “The role he played tonight was the false nine we speak about a lot,” Carragher told Sky Sports, Speaking after Coutinho scored and played a starring role in Liverpool’s […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-04-15 22:23:00

Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says that Philippe Coutinho has replaced Luis Suarez as the club’s ‘go-to-man’, after the Uruguayan’s departure at the end of last season.

“The role he played tonight was the false nine we speak about a lot,” Carragher told Sky Sports, Speaking after Coutinho scored and played a starring role in Liverpool’s victory over Newcastle United.

“We expect him in a wide area, but we saw some of his touches tonight and his ability in small spaces against players, some of the pieces of play he produced tonight.

“Last season Luis Suarez was Liverpool’s main man, the go-to man. But as this season has progressed, and for the future, Coutinho is Liverpool’s.”

And Carragher was effusive in his praise for how the ex-Vasco Da Gama man has improved since last season.

“I don’t think that false nine role will be his. Obviously Sturridge is out. But we’ve seen him behind the front, the main striker tonight, and he was outstanding,” he added.

“He’s getting to that stage now where you put him up against Cazorla, Ozil, Mata, those type of players that play between the lines.

“We always throw goals and assists against them, and Coutinho has improved on that this season.

“He’s now the man where every time the ball goes to him we think: ‘Something is going to happen here’.

“When Liverpool were going for the title last year I still was not convinced he was a real top player, but he’s getting really close now.

“He looks the best player every week.”