How could Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho fit in at Liverpool IF Jurgen Klopp brought the midfielder back to Anfield?

How could Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho fit in at Liverpool IF Jurgen Klopp brought the midfielder back to Anfield?
Philippe Coutinho is currently at the bottom of a very low ebb in his career.After getting his dream move to Barcelona from Liverpool, the midfielder appears to have become an expensive mistake.Seen by many as the natural replacement for Andres Iniesta, Coutinho was booed by his own supporters after being booked against lowly Alaves.getty6

Philippe Coutinho has struggled during his 18-month spell at Barcelona

And it seems as though the 26-year-old has hit rock bottom.The 142million midfielder has asked to leave Barcelona this summer, according to Cadena SER.Coutinho has lifted two LaLiga titles since his lucrative move from Liverpool in 2018, but was subject to jeers from his own fans after a humiliating Champions League exit at Anfield last season. The Brazil international only managed five goals and two assists during the campaign and his future is said to be unclear.Cadena, however, reckon he has asked officials for a move to reignite his career.Given his relatively pleasant exit from Anfield, a return to Liverpool has been mooted by some sections of the press and now bookmakers.Former teammate Jamie Carragher even admitted he would be happy to see the former Kop idol return.Getty6Speaking to Liverpool Echo, he said: “I wouldnt say I would be actively going to get him, but if there was a possibility of bringing Coutinho back for decent money, and Barca wanted to cut their losses a little bit because it hasnt worked out, then Id do that.“Would he be welcomed back? Im not sure. But he should be. I dont see any reason why he shouldnt be.getty6

Coutinho was adored by the red half of Merseyside

“I know he got a little bit of stick when he came back (with Barcelona for the Champions League semi-final earlier this month) because he wanted to move.”So could Jurgen Klopp wrangle the little magician back into his side, or are Liverpool just too strong now without him?Below, talkSPORT.com looks at the potential ways in which Coutinho could slot into the European champion’s starting XI.

Back to basics

buildlineup.com6

Cutting in from the left, Coutinho was lethal for Liverpool during his five-year stint

Before leaving for Barca, Klopp deployed Coutinho on the left hand side of a 4-3-3 and granted him the freedom to drift inside and into a more conventional No.10 role.In doing so, it created space out wide for an overlapping full-back. This is the role he currently plays for Barcelona and it has helped Jordi Alba record a huge number of goals and assists as he uses his pace to rampage down the wing.Liverpool launch their brand new away kit for the 19-20 season While Andy Robertson requires very little encouragement to bomb forward and create, linking up with Coutinho again could grant the Scotland captain even more space out wide.However, unless Sadio Mane leaves this summer, there is simply no way Coutinho usurps him. The Senegal striker scored 22 goals in the Premier League last season and is in the running with Virgil Van Dijk for the Ballon d’Or.

Switch it up

buildlineup.com6

As well as Shaqiri played this season, Coutinho is a far better replacement

When Liverpool have found it hard to play against teams this season, it has tended to be against sides who have sat back and tried to frustrate the Reds. Given the pace they have up front, this is a savvy tactic.In order to combat that, Klopp would occasionally alter his side from an intense 4-3-3 to a more prosaic 4-2-3-1. In the central attacking role behind either Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino, Xherdan Shaqiri was entrusted with the conductor’s baton in an attempt to orchestrate the attack and create a crescendo in the opposition box.While Shaqiri performed admirably during his brief cameo appearances from the bench (most notably when he turned Man United into Swiss cheese back in December) Coutinho is a level or two above.But given’s Klopp insistence on playing 4-3-3 and implementing ‘gegenpressing‘ on the opposition, it begs the question; Would he spend so much on a Plan B?

The Wildcard

buildlineup.com6

Robertson and Alexander-Arnold would benefit massively from this formation

As mentioned previously, Klopp enjoys having a Plan B in his back pocket for when teams sit deep against the Reds. And it is not as if the German could ever be described as a ‘conformist’.The formation depicted above may look complicated, but it has been used by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur for years. By having two disciplined central midfielders in front of a back three, it allows your attacking players to thrive.Furthermore, it grants your wing-backs the licence to bomb forward knowing there is cover behind them. Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Between them last season, they racked up an incredible 29 assists in 88 combined appearances in all competitions for Liverpool.With Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in behind either Salah or Mane, the Reds could be both unstoppable and impenetrable. A frightening prospect.

---

'So annoying' - West Ham fans blast England boss Gareth Southgate's decision to bring on Ross Barkley ahead of Declan Rice.
So annoying' - West Ham fans blast England boss Gareth

---

ADJUSTMENTS Liverpool team news: How the Reds might line-up in Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich WITHOUT Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez

---

The big game will be live on talkSPORT 2 and here's how you can tune in to catch it. Billy Sharp and Sheffield United face Nottingham Forest today Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest: How to listen Full commentary from Bramall Lane will be live on talkSPORT 2, with our coverage getting underway from 12pm.
Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday live on talkSPORT 2: Confirmed
thesportsnewsking.com/norwich-vs-sheffield-wednesday-live-on-talksport-2-confirmed-teams-and-free-stream-for-championship-clash/
Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday: How to listen. Full commentary from Carrow Road will be live on talkSPORT 2, with our coverage getting underway from 7:30pm. Nigel Adderley and David Connolly will bring you all the build-up and commentary and to tune in to the action just click here for the live stream or click the radio player below.
Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest live on talkSPORT 2

---

Bordeaux midfielder Younousse Sankhare out injured due to 'beard implant complications' The Senegal international is reportedly suffering from a fever as a result of the procedure By Sean O'Brien
Bordeaux Midfielder Younousse Sankhare Sidelined For Several

---

In the most dramatic way possible @england win group A4 and advance to the UEFA Nations League semi we learned from England's Nations League win over Croatia hails impact of Stokes catch
Fabian Delph jokes he could name daughter after World Cup

---

Manchester United front runners to sign Atletico Madrid superstar, Red Devils on alert as Real Madrid defender seeks exit, and more Manchester United Transfer News - 19th March 2019
Real Madrid's Raphael Varane considering his future amid
thepeoplesperson.com/2019/03/20/real-madrids-raphael-varane-considering-his-future-amid-manchester-united-interest-report-206313/
Manchester United fans will certainly get excited by Real Madrid star Raphael Varane's reported doubts over his future. The Frenchman is widely considered to be amongst the best centre-backs in
Transfer Talk: Man United on alert as Varane 'considers new

---

Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Chris Sutton slams Scottish FA for

---

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'approach' Ivan Perisic over deal, plus Christopher Nkunku and Denis Suarez updates Written by: fpnews Posted on: January 26, 2019 Arsenal have reportedly made an approach to sign Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic, while they are still interested in Denis Suarez and Christopher Nkunku.
Arsenal transfer news: How the Gunners could line-up with

---

Mar 16, 2019 · Wolves 2-1 Manchester United: FA Cup quarter-final - as it happened Second half goals from Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota deservedly took Wolves into the FA Cup semi-finals Updated
'It is a hell of a victory': Wolves captain Conor Coady hails

---

Manchester City news: Nicolas Otamendi planning summer exit with West Ham and Wolves interested Sunday, 28 April 2019 ( 1 day ago ) Nicolas Otamendi could be on his way out of Manchester City this summer.
Nicolas Otamendi - Transfer Rumours - Football Forum - Talk

---

That is what Manchester City had to do, in the end. After losing at Newcastle on January 29, we now know City would have to win every remaining league game this season to stay out of Liverpool's
English Premier League: Manchester City crowned champions

---

This is the dedicated streaming page for Chelsea football matches and we will be placing live streams of every chelsea game starting from the Post-season friendlies to pre-season tour of USA and of course when the football league season starts in August this page will have live stream and complete schedule of Chelsea matches plus free live

---

Football gossip: Cancelo, Neymar, Draxler, De Ligt, Tielemans, Gueye Manchester United are out of the race to sign is set for talks with Fenerbahce after Newcastle's plans to make his loan

---

The Blues have been linked with several players but they have no intention of repeating the kind of big spend. Guardiola has revealed that he will make only two new signings this summer. First of all, Guardiola's side … Continue reading "Manchester City transfer strategy outlined as Pep Guardiola seeks just TWO new players"
NewsNow: Manchester City Transfer News news | Breaking News

---