Liverpool's possible line-ups to counter Coutinho loss
Just as things were looking rosy at Anfield with Liverpool sat atop the Premier League, the Reds have had the wind taken out of their sails after it was revealed Philippe Coutinho will be missing until the end of October. Here talkSPORT takes a look at three different line-ups Liverpool could try to reduce the loss of the Brazilian star.
Coutinho, already picked out by boss Brendan Rodgers as his key man, injured his shoulder against Swansea in the 2-2 draw on Monday night and after going off it was notable to see Liverpool’s attacking threat vastly diminished.
But the Reds have invested well in their attacking options in the last year and will be hoping the likes of Luis Alberto, Victor Moses and Iago Aspas can step up to the plate in the 21-year-old’s absence.
Rodgers naturally prefers having four attacking options that are expected to be able to adapt to a host of the front line positions but Coutinho’s role as the No.10 is critical to linking up play.
Against Swansea, the former Chelsea assistant played two deep-lying midfielders to seize control in the engine room and both Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva have these roles nailed down.
Luis Suarez, who is available for next week's Capital One Cup match against Manchester United, was always likely to be reincorporated into the team once his ten-match suspension had been completed and the only issue would have been who to drop to fit him back into the team. But his natural creativity means Rodgers will be tempted to deploy him behind Daniel Sturridge so he can to try and pick out the in-form striker and, possibly, a roaming Moses.
The Nigerian made his debut, and an instant impression, at the Liberty Stadium which was capped off with a goal and this means it is likely he will retain his position on the left in the coming weeks, particularly as he can also play as an out-and-out striker if required.
Rodgers will be reluctant to tinker too much with an unbeaten formula which in recent weeks has seen Jordan Henderson start every game alongside Coutinho in the two attacking midfield spots and could plump for the below line-up with Suarez replacing the Brazilian.
LINE UP ONE
But while Henderson and Suarez together would represent the conservative option, Rodgers could be tempted to change up both positions putting in Alberto , who grabbed a hat-trick for their under-21 side against Sunderland in midweek, for the England man.
Alongside the experience of Suarez it would mean an easier introduction to Premier League football for the former Barcelona B man, who was in rampant form in the Spanish Segunda Division last season, and it could lead to him blossoming in the Red shirt.
Alberto has been on the periphery of proceedings, only appearing for seven minutes off the bench this season, but is used to a creative role. He would represent a gamble from Rodgers, but it could be one that pays off for Liverpool if they lined up in the formation below.
LINE UP TWO
Rodgers’ last attacking option is England teenager Raheem Sterling, who had a blockbuster breakthrough last season before fading through fatigue. But with a good rest behind him the 18-year-old could now discover starting opportunities available.
If Liverpool see fit they could elect to bring the nippy winger in and attack through the channels in tandem with Moses. This would mean a change in formation for Rodgers with Henderson again dropping to the bench and utilising Suarez in a deeper role to pick out the wide men, who can then supply Sturridge.
LINE UP THREE
The forgotten man in this equation is Iago Aspas, who until Monday night, had started all of Liverpool’s games but failed to impress. The ex-Celta Vigo man was signed for £7.7million this summer and replaced Coutinho when he went off injured. But his early season struggles mean he is likely to continue to warm the bench,
VERDICT
While Coutinho’s absence will be a big blow, Rodgers still possesses options in abundance and he will be keen not to see his team fade away as it has done so frequently in the second half of games recently.
Suarez’s return will mean he is instantly reinstated and avoids a headache for Rodgers, who is likely to opt to retain his current line-up with the Uruguayan replacing Coutinho.
But against Southampton it will be a pick of either Alberto or Aspas for Coutinho’s spot alongside Henderson, which will not fill the Liverpool boss with confidence .
Coutinho, already picked out by boss Brendan Rodgers as his key man, injured his shoulder against Swansea in the 2-2 draw on Monday night and after going off it was notable to see Liverpool’s attacking threat vastly diminished.
But the Reds have invested well in their attacking options in the last year and will be hoping the likes of Luis Alberto, Victor Moses and Iago Aspas can step up to the plate in the 21-year-old’s absence.
Rodgers naturally prefers having four attacking options that are expected to be able to adapt to a host of the front line positions but Coutinho’s role as the No.10 is critical to linking up play.
Against Swansea, the former Chelsea assistant played two deep-lying midfielders to seize control in the engine room and both Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva have these roles nailed down.
Luis Suarez, who is available for next week's Capital One Cup match against Manchester United, was always likely to be reincorporated into the team once his ten-match suspension had been completed and the only issue would have been who to drop to fit him back into the team. But his natural creativity means Rodgers will be tempted to deploy him behind Daniel Sturridge so he can to try and pick out the in-form striker and, possibly, a roaming Moses.
The Nigerian made his debut, and an instant impression, at the Liberty Stadium which was capped off with a goal and this means it is likely he will retain his position on the left in the coming weeks, particularly as he can also play as an out-and-out striker if required.
Rodgers will be reluctant to tinker too much with an unbeaten formula which in recent weeks has seen Jordan Henderson start every game alongside Coutinho in the two attacking midfield spots and could plump for the below line-up with Suarez replacing the Brazilian.
LINE UP ONE
Alongside the experience of Suarez it would mean an easier introduction to Premier League football for the former Barcelona B man, who was in rampant form in the Spanish Segunda Division last season, and it could lead to him blossoming in the Red shirt.
Alberto has been on the periphery of proceedings, only appearing for seven minutes off the bench this season, but is used to a creative role. He would represent a gamble from Rodgers, but it could be one that pays off for Liverpool if they lined up in the formation below.
LINE UP TWO
If Liverpool see fit they could elect to bring the nippy winger in and attack through the channels in tandem with Moses. This would mean a change in formation for Rodgers with Henderson again dropping to the bench and utilising Suarez in a deeper role to pick out the wide men, who can then supply Sturridge.
LINE UP THREE
VERDICT
While Coutinho’s absence will be a big blow, Rodgers still possesses options in abundance and he will be keen not to see his team fade away as it has done so frequently in the second half of games recently.
Suarez’s return will mean he is instantly reinstated and avoids a headache for Rodgers, who is likely to opt to retain his current line-up with the Uruguayan replacing Coutinho.
But against Southampton it will be a pick of either Alberto or Aspas for Coutinho’s spot alongside Henderson, which will not fill the Liverpool boss with confidence .
Read more at http://talksport.com/football/liverpools-possible-line-ups-counter-coutinho-loss-13091860623#HL7TM44iLtemj6It.99
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