Can our Brazilian confirm the increasingly noisy reputation as the top flight’s best footballer?
Coutinho scored another excellent goal last night versus Blackburn, and it seems every time he bags at the moment, the internet starts discussing whether or not he’s already the top flight’s best player…
Here’s some of the reactions from Twitter, rounded up BBC Sport last night…
Kevin Rukundo: Coutinho puts an end to a miserable, forgetful week for the Reds. Wembley, here we come!
Liam Riley: Three huge saves from Mignolet kept Liverpool in that.
Jack Dulieu: Full credit to Blackburn, who took on a massive team which cost £100m+ to assemble, and pushed them all the way. Well played.
Daniel Kelly: We’re off to Wembley! Credit to Blackburn on the defending, but on the night Liverpool were the better team. Wembley, here we come!
Kevin Kanty: Coutinho is fast becoming the best player in the Premier League. Forget Gerrard, it’s Coutinho that’s going to take Liverpool to FA Cup glory.
We don’t think Coutinho is there just yet, as judged by his goal and assists return this term, but we’re pretty sure that if he improves these aspects of his game, he’ll be right up there with the world’s best.
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1) Become vocal. Demand the ball. Take games by the scruff of the neck.
Coutinho has enough natural ability that teammates should simply be forced into giving him the ball. When he’s on-song, Liverpool should consistently look to feed him the ball – but this will become easier as the Brazilian ‘accepts’ his position as one of the (if not, the very) best Liverpool player. At the moment, his humble attitude is endearing, but it won’t help him climb towards the echelons of the game. World-class players have a swagger, an arrogance, a knowledge that their better than their opposition and their peers, and it enables them to change games when it really matters, by demanding the ball and dictating matches through sheer footballing talent. Coutinho goes missing sometimes and hangs out on the wings, where he doesn’t seem to want the ball as much as he should. Improved knowledge of English and bravery of communication will help this, as will age and experience.
