Shortly after Liverpool failed to bring Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita in the second attempt in the transfer market, Barcelona came up with an offer of more than € 100 million to bring Philippe Coutinho . Kopites are certainly anxious. Already the target of a missed transfer, there is also an offer that can not be denied to the best players they have.
The atmosphere of panic and panic in Merseyside certainly be understandable in that period. Signs déjà vu season 2014/15 little smell. If the Reds lose Luis Suarez who is a key player on the way to the runner-up position then, this season Coutinho potentially leave. Concerns over the recurrence of bad campaigns in all competitions were pervaded by fans.
Kopites increasingly chafed and started berating Fenway Sports Group (FSG) when Coutinho submitted a transfer request. The FSG as the majority shareholder is considered incompetent to take care of the club, until some ask them to leave. This transfer saga was followed by a strong FSG statement, but Coutinho continued his action with a strike in five early matches.
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As for the congested atmosphere rooted in the issue of The Little Magician's departure began to subside ahead of September. The cause is clear, the Reds managed to qualify for the Champions League group phase, slaying Arsenal, then inaugurated the transfer of Naby Keita for 2018. Coupled with heating up the issue of the arrival of Van Dijk and Thomas Lemar, anxiety about the transfer Coutinho slowly escape.
Conversely, Kopites turn wrath against the playmaker when his picture practiced in the Brazil squad widely circulated. The assumption that Coutinho faked his injury is getting stronger and public opinion is starting to corner the Brazilian star. If Jurgen Klopp's confidence fades, let alone return to the main squad, Coutinho could have fared just like Mamadou Sakho.
It is not possible Kloppo angry at Coutinho for counterfeit back injury. Sakho who became one of the mainstay defender in the 2015/16 season alone was exiled for half a season, before being loaned to Crystal Palace, because indiscipline. The manager admitted he was ready to accept Coutinho back last week, but the situation has changed drastically at Anfield.
This event would change the attitude of Klopp and FSG related sales Coutinho to Barcelona. They did reject the initial offer of the Blaugrana , but the Spanish giants were ready to return with a bigger offer. Supposing the supercompany's bid came back, the public would not be surprised or angry again when Coutinho moved to Camp Nou.
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Scenario without Coutinho began to imagine after Liverpool hit Arsenal four goals without reply last weekend. In the game, the Reds appear very looking without the presence of the main playmaker . Usually Liverpool will immediately pass the ball on Coutinho if a dead end, but the view that shows the dependence is not visible anymore.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino make accurate pressing nan accurate in the heart of Arsenal defense. With the superiority of the trio technique, plus the balance offered by Emre Can and Jordan Henderson, Liverpool's lightning rush always flows beautifully. This weapon is actually enough to face a top club that philosophizes attack.
Not that Coutinho is not needed. Long-distance kicking and dribel death of the Brazilian star is still useful when facing the enemy who parker bus. As for Kloppo trying to find an alternative and slowly introduce Liverpool without Coutinho. After all , when compared with Suarez, Coutinho is not a figure who can single-handedly determine the outcome of the game.
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Anticipation of the departure of Coutinho has been done with the transfer of Naby Keita. After a fierce negotiation with RB Leipzig, Michael Edwards finally managed to get the target. The Guinea midfielder will be joining Anfield next season, but his arrival seems to be a farewell message for Coutinho - either this season or next season.
It takes two more transfers and Coutinho will not be missed by the Anfield public. Virgil van Dijk became the most needed figure to end the back line chaos. Meanwhile, Thomas Lemar plotted to strengthen the power of gedor as well as potentially fill Coutinho position. Imagine if the purchase really materialized, the depth of the squad The Reds will be able to compete with the top Premier League!
The chart above shows the potential formation of The Reds for next season. For this season, it only needs to reduce Keita from the shadow squad - with considerations Van Dijk and Lemar docked to Anfield before the transfer window deadline.
Although the skill depth does not seem special, do not forget Kloppo has a row of players who are versatile , able to fill some positions. James Milner is able to be a left back, while Lemar is sometimes played as a central midfielder. Mane and Salah can swap positions, then Milner and Adam Lallana had played as winger at the club before. For the position of defender, there Joe Gomez who can play as a right and left wingback .
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Jurgen Klopp will be armed with the depth of the championship squad with a difference of ability that is not much different. Still far from ideal, given the lack of experienced players. Liverpool is currently one of the teams with the average age of the youngest in the Premier League. But who cares? Borussia Dortmund even conquered the Bundesliga 2010/11 with an average age of 23.77 years.
The depth and potential quality of Liverpool leaves no room for Coutinho. It could even be said, Jurgen Klopp was staring at the days without the existence of Coutinho. The manager did insist not want to release Coutinho, but his transfer movements show the opposite. Whatever the decision of the playmaker , the Reds are ready to go through the season without his presence.
But in a parallel universe, an ideal world for Liverpool, Coutinho will stay at Anfield and must compete with Keita, Lemar, and Lallana. Internal competition is getting tighter and the quality of each player will grow rapidly. Maybe there will be a bounce in the competition, it could be Coutinho, but it is arguably positive for the team trying to repeat the glory of his past.
So, still worried Coutinho will go?