Philippe Coutinho Is the Key to Liverpool’s Increasingly Serious Title Challenge

SELHURST PARK, LONDON — A cursory glance at the final score and scorers at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening would fail to convey the immense influence Philippe Coutinho had on the game between Crystal Palace and Liverpool. 

The Brazilian did not make it on to the scoresheet in south London, but he was overwhelmingly the driving force behind the Reds’ impressive 4-2 victory over Palace, which placed them level on points with Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. 

Coutinho was involved in everything of note for Liverpool as he scurried across the pitch, a bright-green blur against the dark-green grass, linking play, darting into space and ghosting past defenders with ease.

From the stands at Selhurst Park, it was a joy to watch a growing talent orchestrate his team’s attacks with such verve and intelligence.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew had changed his side to counter Liverpool and the threat of Coutinho, but sometimes genius cannot be contained, and it would ultimately be in vain.

Whether on the left or drifting into a more central position, Coutinho asserted his control and effortlessly dictated the pace of this game.

After 16 minutes, Coutinho helped give Liverpool the lead with his delicate chip into the Palace penalty area to Alberto Moreno, who cut the ball back first time for Emre Can to open the scoring.

Five mintues later, having quickly conceded an equaliser, Liverpool regained the lead when Coutinho swung in a fine corner for Dejan Lovren to head home from close range.

Just before half-time, Liverpool went 3-2 in front when Coutinho produced another expertly delivered corner, this time on to the head of Joel Matip.

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