26 May 2016 07:14:46
Eds is it expected Coutinho will put in a transfer request due to no European football?
{Ed001's Note - possibly, he has already spoken to the club about his desire to go because of it. Just have to see if talks between the club and himself can change his mind or not. I am hopeful he will see sense, he is still young enough to give it one more year at least.}
26 May 2016 08:01:53
No doubt I'll get loads of disagrees but I'd be happy to let him go for the right price. He's just a little tok inconsistent for me and we aren't too badly off with Firmino in there instead.
26 May 2016 08:29:17
Coutinho leaving would be hands down a disaster - yet more evidence that we can't keep hold of our high profile players (for anyone keeping score, that would make our biggest player 3 years in a row leaving) . It's imperative that we keep him no matter what.
As for inconsistent. really? 23 year old flair attacking player in the premier league and he doesn't produce the goods every single game? Shocking.
26 May 2016 08:33:09
Didn't one of the Eds say we want more than we got for Sterling for him? If we hold out for that either he'll be staying or we'll have ripped someone off! I love Pip and hope he stays but he's not worth more than £50mil that's just crazy!
26 May 2016 08:41:33
Hjikle I agree with you mate. As a club how are we meant to move forward if we sell our best player's?
26 May 2016 08:33:45
Thanks Ed. I'd understand IF he were to leave for a club in the category of Madrid (either), Barca, Juve etc as these teams play regular CL AND have a chance to win it. I never understand it when a player leaves, or chooses, a club which is in the CL but it's a good chance it's a one off season or they're unlikely to get beyond the groups. That never makes sense to me.
Would you expect, if he does go, it to affect the team much, as we have Firmino already there? Or would it be more harmful to attract players as again our best player leaves?
{Ed001's Note - it is always a harmful thing to sell your better players as they are improving. We have been doing it for years now, it is never good if you want to win trophies.}
26 May 2016 09:25:44
Best thing for coutinho would be to star here, leaving for say Barcelona will harm his development.
26 May 2016 10:00:58
For me, I would let him go for the right offer. I love him and he's shown the world he has some incredible ability occasionally. And that's the thing - He has the odd flash for us but he does seem to disappear in games - more noticeably when we aren't dominating the possession. I think he struggles to get a hold of the game when he has to press for the team. It takes the edge off his sudden burst / turn of pace when he does get a hold of the ball in the attacking half (you see him more and more make an errand pass or get shoved off the ball when this is the case. ) If he stays, he's young and he can adapt because he sure has the ability.
26 May 2016 09:54:05
Let him go if he wants because he has done nothing to help us win the final and clinch the champions league spot. He was clueless in the final.
26 May 2016 10:30:02
I'd agree that Coutinho leaving would be a disaster, but I also see the point that many on here have about not caring too much if he left, provided we got a good sum for him. The man wants European football, and when he got his chance to help the team get it, he didn't show up. Pretty much sums up his career at LFC. Highly skilled and creative, put in sufficient effort, scored and won many a game for us, but there was always that little something that was lacking and stopped him from being a true great. If we get the money for him, then I wouldn't mind going for Coric or Halilovic (Barcelona), or maybe even both, and see who comes out on top.
In terms of always having to sell our best players, I'll just point out what was said here on these pages, when FSG first bought the club. It was mentioned that FSG wanted to focus on a strategy of buying young players, develop them and then sell on for a hefty profit. And win titles and trophies at the same time. Subsequently, the Eds mentioned that such a policy was no longer in place. But I have a sneaking suspicion that this mindset by the management is still there. I could be wrong. But I agree that selling on your best players every summer is not the answer for any continuity. And lack of continuity will not win titles and trophies. It just perpetuates that dreaded word - "transition".
{Ed001's Note - he is 23, what is lacking is experience. We should do what we can to hold on to him and help him grow with us.}
26 May 2016 13:20:52
Fully agree Ed001.