Coutinho or Hazard?

[Pagnell]

It would be unrealistic to believe he will be with us long term, he has no association with England as a country, never mind the club itself. However, I don't expect any move to happen for another couple of seasons, and even then only if he continues improving. Klopp is doing great things at the club, and I expect he'd be able to persuade players like Coutinho and Firmino to stick around and be involved in it. Coutinho's current deal doesn't expire until 2020 and there is allegedly no release clause. We're talking silly money when he does go.

 

[speker]

Yep, there's also been plenty of reports re a new improved contract for Coutinho which I expect will happen. I agree with Pagnell that good things are happening at Anfield this season, the team is on the up . Coutinho is at the centre of it and I don't see him moving in the near future either.

 

[Bilo]

letting Coutinho run across goal and open up with his right boot

This is probably one of the biggest improvements of our team so far this season. A couple of years ago, Coutinho still had a fantastic pass in him but the opposition could just back off and mark out his options. Now, it's a kind of either way you lose; step back and he takes a shot that will very often go in, but if you step up one vertical pass followed by a horizontal and it's a better chance for somebody else. Basically, the best part imo about Coutinho's improved shot is that he can now use his passing abilities in a way he hasn't since the spring of 2013, which was before teams knew how to counter it and he and Sturridge just clicked.

 

[G-Dragon]

There has been a slew of articles tentatively linking Coutinho to Barcelona recently with Neymar seemingly doing his best to throw his weight behind the idea. The dreaded "Barca DNA" phrase has even been trotted out. All Liverpool fans except Saltire - beware!

It's time people accept that Coutinho and Neymar will link up at club level at some stage. Not sure Neymar will get in ahead of Mane though.

 

[SALTIRE]

Coutinho hasn't been noisy about new deals or shifting for moves since he has come in, and he is obviously settled at Liverpool it seems. He probably will get offered a new deal at the end of the season, to keep him happy and to protect his value such that if someone comes in for him, it will be for a scandalous amount. I can see him staying for a few years yet, as where does he get in the Barca/Real/Bayern sides? Perhaps PSG would be a choice? Anyway I'm not worried about it as I'm enjoying the present; we can cross that bridge when/if we come to it, and even then as I have said previously, I'd expect Klopp and co to find an adequate replacement if he were to move on.

 

[Stevencc]

Coutinho hasn't been noisy about new deals or shifting for moves since he has come in, and he is obviously settled at Liverpool it seems. He probably will get offered a new deal at the end of the season, to keep him happy and to protect his value such that if someone comes in for him, it will be for a scandalous amount. I can see him staying for a few years yet, as where does he get in the Barca/Real/Bayern sides? Perhaps PSG would be a choice? Anyway I'm not worried about it as I'm enjoying the present; we can cross that bridge when/if we come to it, and even then as I have said previously, I'd expect Klopp and co to find an adequate replacement if he were to move on.

Ter Stegen

Roberto Pique Mascherano Alba

Rakitic Busquets

Coutinho

Messi Suarez Neymar​

Doesn't look too shabby, does it?

 

[Pagnell]

But the big question is where Barkley would fit it?

 

[shane]

This Barcelona chat feels very premature. If hes still in this form in March than fair enough.

 

[JimJams]

I don't see why any forward would join Barcelona right now. You're never breaking the forward trio up so you'll be bench fodder at best.

And they have Rafinha for that.

 

[Luc@]

Am I the only one here who thinks that Hazard is a little bit overrated?

 

[johnnytodd]

Am I the only one here who thinks that Hazard is a little bit overrated?

Yes bye.

 

[SALTIRE]

Yes bye.

Ok we'll say Hazard is a bit overated whilst Coutinho underated, how about that then Johnny?

 

[Chelsea Royale]

Coutinho is a great player. But no where near Hazards level. Coutinho is more injury prone as well.

 

[SALTIRE]

L o l.

 

[Chelsea Royale]

Laugh all you want.

Coutinho will be sold by the summer, just every other half decent players you've had.

 

[Pagnell]

I don't recall Chelsea Royale being this much of a divvy. Although perhaps I'm thinking of another Chelsea fan. Which one was banned for football violence?

 

[Stevencc]

I don't recall Chelsea Royale being this much of a divvy. Although perhaps I'm thinking of another Chelsea fan.

He's exactly the same as he always was - you must be thinking of someone else.

 

[Bilo]

Which one was banned for football violence?

BLAST FROM THE PAST. At first I thought you meant banned from the forum in which case I was going to point out that you're behind 90% of all bans ever (unsure about the number but between thumb and index). Then I remembered.

I'm quite sure it was BlueBee, but he did seem sort of kind of ashamed of it anyway. But I'm unsure if it was football violence, anyway, because it wasn't a lifetime ban.

 

[Pagnell]

No, it definitely wasn't BlueBee. I'm sure it was the div in question.

 

[SALTIRE]

Laugh all you want.

Coutinho will be sold by the summer, just every other half decent players you've had.

And it won't matter one jolt.

 

[Chelsea Royale]

And it won't matter one jolt.

It doesn't bother you selling your best players constantly?

 

[SALTIRE]

It doesn't bother you selling your best players constantly?

It won't happen and even were it to Klopp has done that throughout with Dortmund and usually found another gem, it wouldn't be an issue unlike when Torres, Suarez etc left.

 

[Bilo]

It won't happen and even were it to Klopp has done that throughout with Dortmund and usually found another gem, it wouldn't be an issue unlike when Torres, Suarez etc left.

We replaced Torres fairly well I'd say, the biggest losses in recent years have quite obviously been Alonso and Suarez who left in very similar fashion, with a very similar end result for Liverpool's following season.

 

[SALTIRE]

We replaced Torres fairly well I'd say, the biggest losses in recent years have quite obviously been Alonso and Suarez who left in very similar fashion, with a very similar end result for Liverpool's following season.

I was going to put in Alonso as well; but it doesn't matter, thats past. The fact is we are less reliant on one player making the side tick (though we could certainly still be doing with Coutinho without a doubt).

 

[SALTIRE]

Coutinho looking to be back for the 31st against City. Great news

 

[Storzy]

So is the injury to Coutinho the reason for this little slump for Liverpool?

 

[Bilo]

So is the injury to Coutinho the reason for this little slump for Liverpool?

No, our attack is still working sort of well enough. Obviously he's a huge loss but our problems are at the back right now.

 

[Pagnell]

So is the injury to Coutinho the reason for this little slump for Liverpool?

We've scored 5 goals in our last 2 league games and come away with a point. So no.