23 Oct 2015 05:12:00
I for one feel coutinho should be dropped to the bench for the next couple of games. might sound harsh but for a player of his enterprise and skill he hasn't been doing much in the final half of the pitch for a few games now. i think he could watch a game or two from the bench and gain a new perspective. he is spending too much time on the ball in the final half, loosing it more than often even when he has a pass on. his moments are too few and far. i'd like to see a youngster given a chance meanwhile
Also Firmino- poorest first touch i have seen since N'gog. i know only 20 minutes aren't fair to judge but for a 29 million pound player i'd expect much more energy from him. a couple of sweet turns and that's it. horrible first touch.
we sorely miss pace in the team. i think we would have to call markovic back because i don't know anyone from the academy with serious pace. or maybe play moreno further up, either way we need speed else we will have problems unloacking defenses and there will be too much sideways passing in the final half as was the case today against Kazan.

1.) 23 Oct 2015
23 Oct 2015 06:20:13
Coutinho is trying to do too much. On the flip side, he needs movement from others to be effective, and that is when he uses his skills best, not shooting from distance.

2.) 23 Oct 2015
23 Oct 2015 06:23:35
Markovic back?! 😂😂😂 Not laughed as much since we signed him! 😡 We need some stars and that is not Markovic!

3.) 23 Oct 2015
23 Oct 2015 06:55:17
Firmino's first touch looked fine to me for a player who has just come back from a significant injury stint.

He actually immediately provided energy and some creativity up front.

Before Firmino it was the same boring attack: pass the ball around the perimeter of the box, eventually it ends up out, and we send in a terrible cross, which amounts to nothing.

Origi's first touch was noticeably awful, and offered no creativity up front.

Coutinho looks bad because there are no more LFC players left who can do quick, darting, and creativity runs around the box -- players like Suarez, Sturridge, and Sterling. Instead, all Coutinho sees up front is Origi or Benteke standing around in the box waiting for a cross. Benteke is a little better than Origi for movement, but only marginally so. Lallana is more technical, but also slow.

Firmino can offer this, but he's rusty (and he didn't play with Coutinho today, unfortunately).

Firmino simply has had a chance at all on this side yet. Substituted early by Rodgers because Rodgers is a clown who played politics with the squad; and then played out of position. And then Firmino gets injured. And here we are.

Firmino will prove his worth. Fully confident.

4.) 23 Oct 2015
23 Oct 2015 07:28:34
Firmino is returning from injury and adapting to premier league football so needs a run in the team now. He will come good soon.

But can we afford to drop coutinho at the moment? If we can get some movent off the ball he can make the difference.

Markovic should never have been sent out on loan in the first place and if he had to be loaned it should have been to a premiership club to gain experience. Would love to see him back but doubt it will happen!