Philippe Coutinho

[The_weatherman]

i'm not sure i'd start him though

i'd stick with the lucas/gerrard/hendo midfield with suarez/sturridge up front.

however i'm not sure yet if we are better to play 3 at the back with wing backs or revert to 4 at the back.

however whichever we go with it, it'll be nice knowing that we have a potential 'game changer' sub in coutinho if needed.

I agree, I think these three in midfield are more likely to win the midfield battle, Coutinho can then be introduced as the game opens up, or not depending on what's going on. Will be a tough game, Arsenal are going to be hellbent on winning.

[Lee]

i'm not sure i'd start him though

i'd stick with the lucas/gerrard/hendo midfield with suarez/sturridge up front.

however i'm not sure yet if we are better to play 3 at the back with wing backs or revert to 4 at the back.

however whichever we go with it, it'll be nice knowing that we have a potential 'game changer' sub in coutinho if needed.

I agree, I think these three in midfield are more likely to win the midfield battle, Coutinho can then be introduced as the game opens up, or not depending on what's going on. Will be a tough game, Arsenal are going to be hellbent on winning.

Yep.

If we need goals then bring him on in the second half and let him run at tired legs.

Him, Suarez and Sturridge would have a field day against Mertesacker.

[Rich]

No player should waltz back into the team, especially when we're on a decent run, and the player you'd be dropping is playing very well.

Excellent option to have from the bench

[cream]

Keep things as they are, for now.

Coutinho and Gerrard just ahead of Lucas does sound a bit tasty though.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Keep things as they are, for now.

Coutinho and Gerrard just ahead of Lucas does sound a bit tasty though.

i'd stick with the gerrard / lucas deeper roles with henderson just ahead and when coutinho fit he can play the furhter forward role with hendo replacing lucas.

gerrard in an attacking role will be occupying the same spaces as countiho and will dull his impact if not both players impact on games.

[Mostar]

Coutinho vs Arsenal



[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrHins6zKIk"]Philippe Coutinho vs Arsenal - YouTube[/ame]

[Gibbo]

Didn't realise how much we missed him until he came on.

Obviously looked a bit rusty in places but the lads a magician.

[Mostar]

For a player that was gone for 6 weeks he looked very good as the half progressed.

Was directly involved in at least 3 top goal scoring chances, which is exactly type of contribution we were missing.

[Fosterbloke]

Football365 reckoned he was innefective and rusty. The latter I agree with but he linked play so well and meant we could keep moving forward knowing that we wouldn't have to immediately lose the ball and defend.

Why were we so lethargic, virtually static? Watching Coutinho and Suso shows us what we're missing.

I think it's time Gerrard started winding back a bit and accept that he can't start every minute of each match.

[Fredo]

He was ineffective because his defence splitting passes attempts didn't really get to the intended player and we didn't score. In 2 or 3 games he'll be back to his best.

[RedSince1964]

Football365 reckoned he was innefective and rusty. The latter I agree with but he linked play so well and meant we could keep moving forward knowing that we wouldn't have to immediately lose the ball and defend.

Why were we so lethargic, virtually static? Watching Coutinho and Suso shows us what we're missing.

I think it's time Gerrard started winding back a bit and accept that he can't start every minute of each match.

Unfortunatly i have to agree bud, i'm afaid that his best days are behind him but, he's still got the quality to be a great squad player as i'm sure you'll agree

[Fosterbloke]

I do agree. Giggs and Scholes had parts to play and their experience was invaluable.

[BigChief]

The only positive from the game: Cooties got much needed game time.

Those defence splitting passes will be finding their targets soon enough.

[RedAndWhite]

The only positive from the game: Cooties got much needed game time.

Those defence splitting passes will be finding their targets soon enough.

Exactly. Once he gets Sturridge and especially Suarez's wave-length dialled in on his boot it will be epic. Also given that this was the first match this season they have played together things should get better.

[Mostar]

The only positive from the game: Cooties got much needed game time.

Those defence splitting passes will be finding their targets soon enough

His defence splitting passes were little heavy on Saturday but in a week or two that should not be a problem.

We missed his creativity a lot and to have him back is a big boost.