Philippe Coutinho

[RichC]

As Shaggy has said he's also still a kid, he played some nice balls today and he gets into scoring positions regularly which is important, I'm sure if he'd have finished a few of his chances he'd be talked about in glowing terms.

Great thing is he's got so much more to come and he will get better for us, brilliant to have such a young talented player in the squad

[baitman]

does anyone remember when he was our savior :candle:

needs to visit the man strength mind coach/shrink

[cream]

He's not been poor, but he does need to improve his shooting. Only thing missing from his game is goals.

[Fredo]

He's an outstanding player.

[RichC]

does anyone remember when he was our savior :candle:

needs to visit the man strength mind coach/shrink

What is currently wrong with his game though?

I suspect you're basing it on him not scoring enough

[Rigadon]

He's an outstanding player.

He really is

[JohnDoe]

I don't think he's been below par this season. He's doing everything right except finishing. Young players tend to be nervous in front of goal, i.e Sterling and Henderson as well. It's all mental. Once a couple of shots finally go in, and he gets settled, I expect Coutinho to become one of the most feared players in the league.

[Shaggy]

His through balls haven't been anywhere near as good as they were last season.

[G]

Sterling getting slated while he was 18 and not playing well,now he's 19 and he's one of our best players. As Shaggy said the lad is 21,he has everything bar composure in front of goal right now and that will come with time.He'll probably find himself on the sidelines for a bit now but like Sterling,its up to him to play himself back in.

[baitman]

when sterling had his wobble he had some time out and came back stronger. coutinho is definitely not as consistent as last year, and no, not his goal scoring

now we have sturridge back we could afford to give cout some time out.

and please...
it is not being critical of a player or the team to state the obvious or give an opinion.

are opinions still allowed on this forum or what

[dww]

I thought he played really well today. I suspect that he is being judged by different standards now we are a more complete team. He's not stood out as much because other people have been better IMO, but he's generally been good for us this season.

[BigChief]

His through balls haven't been anywhere near as good as they were last season.

I thought it was just cobwebs but we're in January now and he's still parsnip. His passing is still better than Henderson, for example, but his job is different from Hendo so is judged more harshly according to his skillset.

However, I have absolutely no doubt he's our next £50m+ player so he's the last of my worries this season.

[danperkins]

His through balls haven't been anywhere near as good as they were last season.

[Darkon]

I don't think he's been below par this season. He's doing everything right except finishing. Young players tend to be nervous in front of goal, i.e Sterling and Henderson as well. It's all mental. Once a couple of shots finally go in, and he gets settled, I expect Coutinho to become one of the most feared players in the league.

Agreed, I think he has done very well, even if he hasn't taken this season by the same storm as when he just got here. Hard to keep that momentum going!

Our play on the field is usually quicker with him in the team than out of the team. He has a great understanding of the quick flowing play, and links up and passes nicely.

His through balls haven't been anywhere near as good as they were last season.

Not quite no, but part of that to me is because the opposition is much much more aware of him now. Nobody knew quite what to expect last season, and subsequently how to handle him. This season they know to get away of the forward pass from him because it's so lethal, so he is closed down much more vigorously.

[SB]

I like. Even when he's not brilliant he's still good. A few more goals would ease the pressure on him a bit.