When he first joined, I didn't know what to expect. Would Philippe be too lightweight? Too timid? Would he have the necessary vision and execution required to feed our (at the time) significantly depleted strike force?
In his first full game (versus Swansea I believe) he showed glimpses of hunger, fight determination and some amazing through balls. But this was clearly just a boy who wanted to impress his new team, right? Wrong. Oh so very wrong.
Coutinho was bought by Internazionale aged 16. He wasn't really given much of a chance until Rafa stepped in and helped develop this young man into the talent we see today. Inter fans were convinced that this guy could be the future of their great club - and with good reason. Their hope turned to despair as the higher ups there decided to sell Cou to us for pittance (in today's market anyway).
So for me to say that he was just aiming to impress his new team is completely wrong. This lad is always aiming to impress. We seen that with his performances towards the back-end of last season when he comprehensively destroyed Newcastle's backline with a single pass on many an occasion. When he threatened to run riot and dismantle any opposition defence that dared stand in our way. Cou also scored our last goal of the 12/13 season with Suarez absent. A daisy cutter from 25 yards out straight into the bottom corner.
Then came 13/14, people saying he would suffer from second-season syndrome. There were doubters, if course, there always would be. But why, I'd ask, would you doubt this young man when his quality is there for all to see? "Goals" , they'd reply, "You rely too much on Suarez and Sturridge. They rely on Coutinho's service. Teams will just mark him out."
Well, you can't really argue with that... except we did. On the pitch. We were top after three games without Suarez, Coutinho was as menacing as ever, and Dan was banging them in for fun. Then Swansea... oh Swansea, what did you do to our little magician? Ashley Williams decides the time is right to try and take him out of service. We draw the game, lacking the influence of our star man throughout the latter part of the game. What would we do without Cou? How would our season end up?
Suddenly a talent that people were so uncertain about upon arrival had turned into an integral part of our team. Now of course, our season didn't end up suffering due to Hendo stepping it up massively, Gerrard playing the right passes and Suarez hitting an incredible purple patch. But we were all looking forward to Cou's return nonetheless.
Except it was underwhelming to have him back. The little magician who once terrorised defences was now looking very laboured, very nervous, very... uninterested. The Coutinho who joined Liverpool did indeed appear to be suffering from second-season syndrome after all. Maybe the pace of this League was too much for him, and eventually caught up?
Nah.
Doomsayers, naysayers, they all stuck their oar in, offered their opinion, one that nobody asked for. Coutinho was finished, Coutinho was finally being marked out, Coutinho wasn't contributing anything.
Then came Arsenal. Torn to shreds. Then Fulham. The same thing. Then Sunderland, Spurs and most recently Man City. All MASSIVE games. All teams with huge amounts to play for. All falling victim to the Coutinho sword.
So people can say as they wish, but it would be unwise to underestimate our little magician, because you will be doing so at your own peril.
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