The Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern are still breathing collective sighs of relief following the conclusion of the summer transfer window last week.
One of the biggest transfer sagas from the entire summer was Barcelona’s interest in Liverpool’s Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Following the Spanish giants selling Neymar to PSG for a world record fee of nearly £200 million, they needed to find a replacement and Coutinho was their number one transfer target.
Offers were sent and subsequently rejected by Jurgen Klopp and the club up until the point where the Brazilian handed in a transfer request to try and force through a move.
Suddenly, it seemed like Coutinho would be on his way out but he never left and remains a Liverpool player.
Klopp’s side returns to action this weekend against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side and Coutinho could be set to make his first appearance of the season.
On that note, let’s look at two pros and two cons for Coutinho being a part of the starting XI this weekend.
CON 1: Salah or Mane will be dropped
Liverpool’s front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah have a combined seven goals and four assists between them in the opening three league games this season.
The formidable attack of the Reds has gotten off to a flying start and if Coutinho returns to the side, one of those players, most likely Salah, will be relegated to the bench.
With the form that these players are in it would be a big risk to drop them in such a big game against Manchester City.
CON 2: Sends a bad message to the team
Whether Liverpool fans have turned on him or not, the fact of the matter is that Coutinho handed in a transfer request and tried to force the club into selling him.
Putting him straight back into the starting XI after this whole saga would send a terrible message to Liverpool’s team.
No matter what they do, if they’re good enough then they will get into the side and that could leave some room for other Liverpool players to act out and try and make demands to the club.
Pro 1: Great set-piece taker
Whenever Liverpool get a free kick in a dangerous area, it just feels wasted that Coutinho isn’t on the pitch.
He is an excellent free kick taker and will at least hit the target on most occasions.
His corners too are excellent and adds a lot of danger from dead ball situations to the Liverpool attack.
Pro 2: He is one of the best in the world
On top of his set piece talents, his general abilities make him one of the best players in the Premier League, and the world.
A brilliant dribbler of the ball, a fantastic passer, he has a venomous shot and can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and make something happen for his team.
There is a reason Barcelona wanted him so much, he is one of the best of the best in his position and just having him in your team gives you a much better chance of walking away with something.
What do you think Liverpool fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
