Philippe Coutinho: It’s time the former Liverpool playmaker started proving his worth at Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho: It’s time the former Liverpool playmaker started proving his worth at Barcelona
On the one-year anniversary of signing for Barcelona for a mega 142m, Philippe Coutinho kicked off his evening by sitting on the bench and watching a starting place pass him by – for the fourth league game in a row.A natural point of reflection thanks to the date, you have to wonder what the Brazilian was thinking when he got the team news for the La Liga trip to Getafe.Perhaps his mind also wandered back to England, where Liverpool are mounting their most serious challenge for the Premier League title in years – lying four points clear of closest rivals Manchester City.5

The Brazilian made the switch from Anfield to the Camp Nou a year ago, but has struggled to make a big impact

Many expected the departures of the likes of Luis Suarez and Coutinho to send the Reds spiralling backwards – but the polar opposite has occured.It has been an odd 12 months for the attacker, defying the trajectory that seemed the most logical.Coutinho has gone from exceeding expectations in his first six months in Catalonia where it would have been natural for him to struggle to adapt to the rhythm of a new club and competition, mid-season to gradually losing importance in the squad dynamic, and not finding his form in his second term.On Sunday, El Mundo labelled it Coutinhos endless fall (Spaniards do have something of a penchant for the dramatic).5

Many expected the departures of Luis Suarez and then Coutinho to Barcelona to send Liverpool backwards

In a more balanced look in AS, Santi Gimnez pondered over how the Coutinho effect had now dried up, pointing to the eight goals and five assists the No 7 produced across 18 league games in his first half a season.If he could produce that after coming half-way through the season, it wasnt crazy to expect a step forward this season, and for the player to cement himself as a star, he observed.Rather than him being particularly bad this season, Coutinhos problem is perhaps more that in his first five months with Barca he was abnormally good, thus exceeding expectations5

However, the Reds have emerged as serious title challengers without the pair

It is difficult to recall a game this term where he has been notably poor.There hasnt been any disappearing and lack of showing for the ball, or confusion with the system that normally marks a player out as clearly not Barcelona material.The most obvious, concrete issue is that his impact in front of goal the attribute he stood out for above any other after signing last year has dried up dramatically.Since scoring and producing in a generally excellent all-round performance as Barca thrashed arch rivals Real Madrid 5-1 in October, the 26-year-old has failed to find the net again.Its a shift thats particularly striking; considering he had scored five times in just over two months up to that point.

---

MORE: COUTINHO AND SUAREZ STAR AS BARCELONA THRASH REAL MADRID AT NOU CAMP

---

5

Coutinho’s sudden dip in form came following his exceptional performance in the El Clasico in October

The biggest beneficiary of his sudden lack of cutting edge has been Ousmane Dembl, who, whether he turns up for training or not, just cant stop scoring big goals at key moments.With coach Erneste Valverde treating Coutinho as more of a forward than a midfielder, there isnt room for the two players in a 4-3-3 system, and Dembl is now the clear first choice. On merit.Ironically, Coutinho can probably thank Dembls off-pitch issues for ensuring that his own struggles have not been more of a story until now. With the headlines and sporting pages at the tail end of 2018 adequately filled with the Frenchmans baffling tardiness, the 142m signing hitting a dry patch didnt really even register until the anniversary of his arrival drew close on the horizon.Its a story now, though, and the fact Valverde didnt think Coutinho would be worth a start against notoriously disciplined Getafe, where his shooting from distance could have been an obvious tool to exploit, seems significant.

PHILLIPPE COUTINHO'S BARCELONA RECORD

La Liga2018-19: 4 goals and 1 assist in 15 appearances2017-18: 8 goals and 5 assists in 18 appearancesChampions League2018-19:1 goals in 6 matches5

The Frenchman 21, joined in August 2017 and has been directly involved in 15 goals in 23 appearances this season

Significant too is that Barca got the job done without him.The Catalans were 2-1 up by the time the former Liverpool man finally entered the field of play with less than 10 minutes remaining.Coutinho was supposed to be much more than an extremely expensive substitute who merely sees out games.Not since his last move to the city of Barcelona, when Inter shipped him out on loan to Espanyol as a youngster, has the Brazilian been asked to prove his worth to the extent he is being asked now.The good news for him is that with the Copa del Rey and Champions League resuming shortly, he will have the opportunities.In the ruthless world of Barcelona you have to take them quickly though – before things move on without you.

---

This was the 2012-13 home kit, which is quite nice IMO. But how do you feel about the Cyan color? Not the person you are responding to but I like it. A bit more modern, cooler look instead of the traditional/classy black or blue. Maybe not as amazing as the gold in 2011-12 or the silver last season, but still quite good.

---

The 'Kits x Kicks' concept kits collection is anything but an amazing project and could very well serve as an inspiration for Nike to further merge the famous Jumpman with football. "Each kit is based on a iconic (or not) sneaker of the brand and one (or more) color or kit the team have used in the past.
Football kits 2019/20: What Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea

---

Liverpool transfer news: Alberto Moreno set for 'showdown talks' as Fenerbahce lurk. Spanish left-back has grown unhappy with his bit-part role at Anfield. By talkSPORT
Alberto Moreno - talkSPORT

---

Liverpool are reportedly up against Premier League rivals Tottenham and Everton for the potential transfer of highly-rated Dutch winger Arnaut Groeneveld. The 21-year-old midfielder has shone for
Liverpool ready to beat Tottenham in race for 5-goals & 4

---

Rafa Benitez wants Newcastle to join the race to sign Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata - who is out of contract this summer. Benitez will push for a move should he stay on at St James' Park.
Barcelona 'make contact' with Manchester United star Juan

---

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has undergone successful treatment for a heart problem and will be out of action for a month, the Italian champions confirmed on Wednesday. The Germany World Cup
Khedira out for a month after heart surgery - Juventus
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/02/20/khedira-out-for-a-month-after-heart-surgery-juventus/
Milan (AFP) - Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has undergone successful treatment for a heart problem and will be out of action for a month, the Italian champions confirmed on Wednesday. The Germany World Cup winner had already been ruled out of the midweek Champions League tie at Atletico Madrid
Khedira treated for heart problem | Football Italia

---

Barcelona president 'knows what will happen' with Liverpool

---

As Arsenal sit one game away from their first European silverware in 25 years and a return to the Champions League, manager Unai Emery has revealed some of his players did not consider the Europa

---

having a babel Ryan Babel blames broken promises for failed Liverpool spell and insists he has 'unfinished business' in the Premier League The Netherlands international, who could make his Fulham debut against Spurs, moved to Anfield when he was 20 and struggled to adapt to life in England
Brock Lesnar privately told Vince McMahon to make Finn Balor

---

Rangers call for SFA disciplinary review as a matter of 'extreme urgency' reputation counted against the Rangers striker after red card against Aberdeen up for huge double-header against
Profile: Christopher Jack - eveningtimes.co.uk

---

Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria has urged Dominic Solanke to join him on loan at Rangers should the chance materalise in the January transfer window. Ejaria joined Anfield legend Steven Gerrard at Ibrox in the summer alongside winger Ryan Kent, and Rangers have now been heavily linked with a
Rangers target Dominic Solanke urged by Liverpool pal Ovie

---

Babes in the Wood killer's mother asked victim's mum 'is my boy involved?' Michelle Johnson's daughter was murdered along with Nicola Fellows in 1986 when they were nine years old and killer
Katie Price blasts Fernando Ricksen's 'bulls*it' Glasgow sex

---