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Coping without Coutinho?
- Updated: December 7, 2016
Defensive frailties cost Liverpool against Bournemouth but they have encouraging options at the other end of the pitch. Ahead of their Nissan Super Sunday clash with West Ham, we look at how Divock Origi can help them cope without the injured Philippe Coutinho…
Liverpool’s remarkable 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth was the fourth time they have been two goals up and failed to win a Premier League game under Jurgen Klopp. Just when it seemed they had turned a corner, it was a depressing setback to undermine their Premier League title credentials.
Klopp’s challenge is to ensure defensive capitulation does not creep back into Liverpool’s game on a regular basis, but events on the south coast took the attention away from a separate issue. Philippe Coutinho is expected to miss at least five more Premier League games with ankle ligament damage. His absence is another conundrum.
Coutinho has been one of the Premier League’s top performers this season. With five goals and five assists, only Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez have been more influential in front of goal. His outstanding form was recognised when he was named the 2016 Football Supporters’ Federation Player of the Year on Tuesday.
Operating on the left-hand side of Liverpool’s electrifying attack, Coutinho has been the inspiration behind their title challenge. There have been spectacular individual goals and match-winning moments of invention, and the stats highlight the extent of his influence. From goals scored to successful dribbles, he ranks either first or second in every attacking discipline.
Liverpool supporters held their breath …
