LM Philippe Coutinho
To continue the same trend of defending why Coutinho can play a few steps deeper on the kickoff but largely assume the same areas once the game gets going.
With Coutinho, Moreno or Milner usually need to provide the width up the left flank anyway. He’s a tucked in attacking midfielder, he gravitates towards the center of the pitch because he needs to.
Coutinho’s finishing boots are an x-factor at Liverpool. He’s still silk when he’s not finishing well, but Liverpool are that much better whenever he’s really threatening the goal. If he scored against Tottenham after four minutes, things could’ve been a bit different.
On the same thread, had he not had them against Arsenal, Liverpool doesn’t win that game. Simple as.
The goal that gets forgotten from that Dortmund game is Coutinho’s. A brilliant 22 yard rocket into the bottom corner. It was the one that got the ball rolling after Marco Reus made it 3-1, completely eviscerating the momentum that Divock Origi gave Liverpool to make it 2-1.
Without Coutinho there, Liverpool probably don’t win that game. Dortmund wouldn’t have been on their heels.
Next: ST Daniel Sturridge