Over the last year there has been increased hype and hysteria over this young Brazilian, moving to England still yet to fully develop as a player and as a man Philippe Coutinho joined Liverpool when they needed him most.
Luis Suarez was still around, at the time,but the ageing Steven Gerrard wasn’t going to be for much longer and the Kop needed another midfield hero to worship.
Coutinho took a bit of time to adapt to the style of the Premier League which is somewhat more attack minded as the media bill it as more of an entertainment show than a tight, tactical war of attrition in Italy.
However with both Suarez and Gerrard departing for pastures new it is Coutinho who is being held up as the Liverpool’s next star. He has developed his game so rapidly over the past year that some are now questioning if even the Brazilian is outgrowing Merseyside. Despite a 2nd place finish two seasons ago and a fleeting appearance in the Champions league in the last, the club have not been convincing enough under Brendan Rodgers, which has continued into the season.
Reports have come out recently proclaiming current La Liga champions Barcelona are very much keeping tabs on the 23 year old. Spanish outlet Fichajes have said Luis Enrique’s men are interested in signing the player when their current transfer ban is lifted in January.
It would be difficult to see Liverpool letting their talisman go mid-way through a season as they fight for re-entry into the Champions league, but if this doesn’t materialise then Coutinho may be tempted to make a move to the Camp Nou.
I can see some parallels in Coutinho’s performances for Liverpool with that of Cesc Fabregas’ at Arsenal’s before his return to Barcelona. Both the heartbeat of their respective sides and so much expected from them, Fabregas played a lot more off instinct and compulsion at Arsenal his attacking runs and unwiltering passion could be best in his goal against AC Milan in 2008. This is how I see Coutinho at his best, playing off pure ardour for football and thriving off being the player Liverpool look to for inspiration.
Whilst quite obviously a step up in quality and a great move off the field for Coutinho would Barcelona really complement Coutinho’s style of play?
Albeit with the lack of Pep Guardiola and more Luis Enrique Barcelona’s style has become a little more direct, especially with the signing of Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic, it is still uncertain as to whether an off the cuff maverick like Liverpool’s number 10 would be a match for Barcelona.
It is not his undoubted ability the concern, but more how Barcelona like to play a bit more calculated and considered, before sending the ball onto the three-pronged firing squad of Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
However still a young man you wouldn’t put it past Coutinho dispel these doubts and excel in Catalonia to become one of the best attacking midfielders in world football.
