Philippe Coutinho

[Red_Polo]

Reason why we didn't need Mata.

Nonsense. Mata is a brilliant player. We would unquestionably benefit another attacking talent of that level. What we have now simply cannot be on form and available for 90 minutes every game.

Coutinho is quality and I'm delighted we have him but let's not fool ourselves - having depth and variety in attack is important if we're to go up another level.

[Red_Polo]

Anyway. Lovely performance again today. Obvious highlight is in the return of those beautifully weighted through balls, but his other work is so undervalued. Really good at disrupting the opposition build up, and his ability to keep moves going under pressure, setting tempo in the process is something we've missed in our midfield for a long time.

[kop-al-74]

A real gem of a player...what a find.

[Norbs]

A real terrier today. Brendan certainly knows how to get the highest workrate out of his players

[Shaggy]

What a warrior. His pressing and ball retention is top quality. Defensive side of the game totally different lately.

He's brilliant. Still young and will throw in more duff performances along the way but we just need to 'give him his head', as they say, keep him in that role at the tip of a central three and more often than not he will deliver. Frightening front four we have.

[Fredo]

Nonsense. Mata is a brilliant player. We would unquestionably benefit another attacking talent of that level. What we have now simply cannot be on form and available for 90 minutes every game.

Coutinho is quality and I'm delighted we have him but let's not fool ourselves - having depth and variety in attack is important if we're to go up another level.

So you'd have Coutinho or Mata sit out games? Never going to happen long term, they're too good to be rotated. They both can play either side, but you negate their ability to influence games.

I think the price to pay to get someone as good as Mata is offset by the team's balance. Well, in my opinion anyway. We already are trying to accommodate both Suarez and Sturridge at the same time without compromising our balance, so I can't see us having someone like Mata in as well.

[Red_Polo]

So you'd have Coutinho or Mata sit out games? Never going to happen long term, they're too good to be rotated. They both can play either side, but you negate their ability to influence games.

I think the price to pay to get someone as good as Mata is offset by the team's balance. Well, in my opinion anyway. We already are trying to accommodate both Suarez and Sturridge at the same time without compromising our balance, so I can't see us having someone like Mata in as well.

Leaving aside all arguments as to whether Mata would represent a significant improvement to our starting XI...

It's eminently sensible to have the ability to rest players, to have contingency for injury, suspension and loss of form, and to have a variety of attacking options so you can alter your approach - be that between games or within them.

Look at the minutes we've given to Moses and Aspas. It's hardly controversial to suggest we'd like better available to us. We have no remotely decent attacking options on the bench. All of these things will matter even more next season if we have European football.

The idea that signing a player like Mata could be brushed off as unnecessary is just baffling to me.

[destinydude]

Only Coutinho has attempted more through balls, 35, in the League than Jack Wilshere's 25.

[Fredo]

Leaving aside all arguments as to whether Mata would represent a significant improvement to our starting XI...

It's eminently sensible to have the ability to rest players, to have contingency for injury, suspension and loss of form, and to have a variety of attacking options so you can alter your approach - be that between games or within them.

Look at the minutes we've given to Moses and Aspas. It's hardly controversial to suggest we'd like better available to us. We have no remotely decent attacking options on the bench. All of these things will matter even more next season if we have European football.

The idea that signing a player like Mata could be brushed off as unnecessary is just baffling to me.

We need more quality but I think Rodgers has shown that he's going to go down the route of developing players, rather than bringing in established players.

So, someone like Alberto might provide that quality long term, after he's earned his tutelage.

[Red_Polo]

We need more quality but I think Rodgers has shown that he's going to go down the route of developing players, rather than bringing in established players.

So, someone like Alberto might provide that quality long term, after he's earned his tutelage.

Surely trying to sign Salah and Konoplyanka tells us we're looking for something more first team ready as well?

Anyway, we've veered a long way of track and I don't think either of us are about to convince the other

[Fredo]

Surely trying to sign Salah and Konoplyanka tells us we're looking for something more first team ready as well?

Anyway, we've veered a long way of track and I don't think either of us are about to convince the other

Think they both play either side of a forward, as opposed to Coutinho and Mata preferring a more central role.

Yes, I agree.

[Fosterbloke]

I'd love to see a compilation of Coutinho's assists for us in his two half seasons so far.

[vlahka]

I was over the moon when we signed him. He's easily my favourite player. And long may he stay!

[tsb]

That dummy just before the Hendo chance was sublime. Didn't see a close up replay but was it a flip flap style move?

[el matador]

He was superb yesterday. Has to be a shoe in for the Brasil squad. There's not many with that sort of talent.