Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool > FC Barcelona)

Watch how Ozil played today vs France... that's what I want to see from Coutinho, he is more than capable.

Watch how Ozil played today vs France... that's what I want to see from Coutinho, he is more than capable.

Ozils range of passing and vision is far beyond Coutinho. I love Phil but he isn't a patch on Ozil, not yet anyway.

Ozils range of passing and vision is far beyond Coutinho. I love Phil but he isn't a patch on Ozil, not yet anyway.

Yeah, but I wasn't talking about the range of passing, sorry, just how Ozil was everywhere, that's how I like to see our #10 play tbh. And Coutinho's vision is probably one of his stand out attributes imo.

Yeah, but I wasn't talking about the range of passing, sorry, just how Ozil was everywhere, that's how I like to see our #10 play tbh. And Coutinho's vision is probably one of his stand out attributes imo.

Yeah I agree with you, I just mean I think Ozils first time passes and decision making are a notch ahead of Coutinhos. I don't think it helps him being played from the left either, I would definitely like to see him played as a CAM next season.

You're eyes are plastered shut if you think Henderson is getting a free pass.

Of course he does.  He was absolutely useless for almost the entire season (even before his injury) and yet when the Europa final came around everyone was saying "can he start?  we might need him to start, is he fit, is he?!" as if him playing was going to help us or something.

Of course he does.  He was absolutely useless for almost the entire season (even before his injury) and yet when the Europa final came around everyone was saying "can he start?  we might need him to start, is he fit, is he?!" as if him playing was going to help us or something.

Wish you'd stop saying "everybody" said or did something when it's bollocks. From what I can remember loads of people were worried that he might start if fit, not that they wanted him to.

Evidently he switched agents but his former agent was in the same management group owned by Kia Joorabchian so its basically an internal transfer within the same agency he has been at all along.

Of course he does.  He was absolutely useless for almost the entire season (even before his injury) and yet when the Europa final came around everyone was saying "can he start?  we might need him to start, is he fit, is he?!" as if him playing was going to help us or something.

Bollocks. As one of the few on here on who defend Henderson I can tell you it was very much the opposite. Very few want him hear the starting 11. Saying Henderson gets a free pass is complete and utter rubbish. It's the opposite. A player who we are statistically proven to be better with in the team gets constant calls to be dropped, suicidal claims and trust me you're not the only one.

Anyway, Phil seems to have drunken from the poison chalice and his agent wants him out. £65 million or no dice I say, he's on a long term deal, F**k the agent.

Preparation for grueling preseason. First step - haircut: 

https://twitter.com/ViktorFagerLFC/status/751799643500142592

So, I'm hoping for a better season, but I'm slightly worried that he'll b e kept as a left forward. Are we gonna get another inconsistent season of Coutinho on the left, cutting in and taking wild shots, scoring 6-7 wonder goals and being voted, player of the season? I'm not sure I want to see this anymore, I feel it's a detriment to our team as well as to Coutinho and the reason why he is inconsistent. 

Wide players are generally in and out of the game and not particularly the focal points, you want them to support the full backs , make runs behind the opposition defence, or to be good at 1v1's and attack their full backs, Coutinho certainty lack these traits doesn't he?

He is a playmaker/AMC, he has exceptional awareness when there are players in front of him making runs beyond, the ability to ball carry from deep and turn defence into attack is another great trait he has. He should be deeper, roaming and involved in the game as much as possible.

So, I'm hoping for a better season, but I'm slightly worried that he'll b e kept as a left forward. Are we gonna get another inconsistent season of Coutinho on the left, cutting in and taking wild shots, scoring 6-7 wonder goals and being voted, player of the season? I'm not sure I want to see this anymore, I feel it's a detriment to our team as well as to Coutinho and the reason why he is inconsistent. 

Wide players are generally in and out of the game and not particularly the focal points, you want them to support the full backs , make runs behind the opposition defence, or to be good at 1v1's and attack their full backs, Coutinho certainty lack these traits doesn't he?

He is a playmaker/AMC, he has exceptional awareness when there are players in front of him making runs beyond, the ability to ball carry from deep and turn defence into attack is another great trait he has. He should be deeper, roaming and involved in the game as much as possible.

So where do you play Firmino?

So where do you play Firmino?

I think Firmino is far better playing higher up, he comes alive in and around the box, his movement is exceptional and makes a lot of runs behind the opposition defence. I really would play him anywhere across the front line (preferably #9), but we have a lot of competition there, from Mane, Sturridge, Ings and Origi, even Lallana too.

I do agree with the above that Coutinho should be played as a proper number 10 but it's difficult to fit him in there with Firmino. Firmino is definitely better either behind the striker or even as a false 9. I really don't know how we are best set up to make use of all the players we have, there's likely to be some pissed off players come the end of the season unless Klopp starts rotating like mad.

I do agree with the above that Coutinho should be played as a proper number 10 but it's difficult to fit him in there with Firmino. Firmino is definitely better either behind the striker or even as a false 9. I really don't know how we are best set up to make use of all the players we have, there's likely to be some pissed off players come the end of the season unless Klopp starts rotating like mad.

I don't even see him as a 10.

His best position is in a midfield 3 in the Iniesta type role.

We don't play that way under Jürgen which is one reason I think we see Phil's form being so erratic.

We don't play that way under Jürgen which is one reason I think we see Phil's form being so erratic.

I honestly have only seen highlights (and one half live) of our pre-season Si: are you saying that, when Phil has been played, he has been played out of position?

I honestly have only seen highlights (and one half live) of our pre-season Si: are you saying that, when Phil has been played, he has been played out of position?

Sorry Mouse I should have clarified that I haven't seen a minute of preseason.

I'm talking more in general and while I wouldn't call where he plays under Klopp out of position but I personally feel his ideal position is that Iniesta role in a 3.

Sorry Mouse I should have clarified that I haven't seen a minute of preseason.

I'm talking more in general and while I wouldn't call where he plays under Klopp out of position but I personally feel his ideal position is that Iniesta role in a 3.

No baw Si. I haven't been able to catch any games (for one reason or another) - I was asking only because I know you would give me a straight answer.

No baw Si. I haven't been able to catch any games (for one reason or another) - I was asking only because I know you would give me a straight answer.

No probs mate.

Whats your thoughts on the wee man under Jürgen?

Whats your thoughts on the wee man under Jürgen?

He seems unsure of his role but that's only a guess mate. He definitely looked more comfortable when [under BR] he was played at the tip of the 'triangle' or even at the tip of the diamond. Maybe at the times we revert to either, we will see the best from him.

Personally I like the thought of him playing alongside Wijnaldum and just behind a front three of Firmino Sturridge and Mane (possibly at home) in a 4-1-2-3 or alone, just behind that front three, with two behind.

On paper we have and had a big threat in attacking areas (especially with Phil pulling the strings); why it just isn't/wasn't clicking F**k knows for sure but I'm hoping it's more down to fine tuning rather than personnel.

Just based on his pre-season performances could (should?) Coutinho be dropped from the starting 11?

At a minimum I think he should be considered for a more central role, he seems wasted out wide.

Just based on his pre-season performances could (should?) Coutinho be dropped from the starting 11?

At a minimum I think he should be considered for a more central role, he seems wasted out wide.

We can't afford to drop him. If you had to list our top 3 players I'd say that Coutinho would be in most peoples. I agree though and i think his best position is in the hole behind the strikers.

Problem is that it's also Firminos best position and I think Klopp sees Coutinho being able to adapt out wide better than Firmino can which is why he continues to put him out there.

I really don't know how the team is going to line up this season if everyone is fit. Presumably Mane is going to be starting after the money we spent on him. Coutinho/Firmino have to be in the starting line up as does Sturridge. Then you also have Lallana who Klopp seems to rate highly.

If Sturridge is out for the Arsenal game I would like to see something like:

                               Firmino
                     Origi   Coutinho   Mane

As a front four that could work. Firmino is capable of playing as a striker and I think Origi could do a lot more damage out wide than Coutinho.
                         

We can't afford to drop him. If you had to list our top 3 players I'd say that Coutinho would be in most peoples. I agree though and i think his best position is in the hole behind the strikers.
                         

Well, even before the injury people were advocating dropping Sturridge and I'd bet most people would have rated him our best  player so yes I think it's reasonable to  discuss whether Coutinho is worth of a starting spot based on his recent (and even end of season last seasons) play.

Well, even before the injury people were advocating dropping Sturridge and I'd bet most people would have rated him our best  player so yes I think it's reasonable to  discuss whether Coutinho is worth of a starting spot based on his recent (and even end of season last seasons) play.

There's a word for those people though 

If someone thinks dropping our best players is a wise move then they should probably starting watching rugby or something.