Poll Coutinho on the bench?

[rurikbird]

So the front 4 was essentially what I wanted to see before the game – using the excuse of Coutinho's late flight from Brazil to try a system with 3 hard-working AMs/wingers behind Sturridge (although it was still 4-3-3 and not 4-2-3-1, but that's a minor point). How did everybody think it worked out? Sturridge didn't score, but all 3 others did and I have no doubt that Studge will score loads playing in this system if they continue with it – the question is, will they?

I see 3 options going forward:

1. Return to the system with Coutinho in the front 3 at the expense of Sturridge (with Firmino playing up top). I think this would be a wrong option, because having an in-form top-class striker can be a difference between success and failure not just in individual games, but in the season as a whole – so we absolutely need to allow Sturridge a chance to grow in confidence with a regular run of starts, now that he's finally fit.
2. Bench Coutinho and continue with the current system (with some personnel changes in central midfield when Can returns, but that wouldn't affect the question at hand). The attacking group will consist of three hard-working and creative attackers in Firmino, Lallana and Mane playing behind Sturridge.
3. Play both Coutinho and Sturridge and drop someone else from the attacking 4. This can certainly work in some games, particularly since Coutinho and Sturridge have a good understanding of each other's games all the way since 2013. However, there are downsides – we will sacrifice energy and defensive contribution from one of Lallana, Firmino or Mane in order to accommodate two supremely talented, but somewhat fair-weather players. They are also both greedy by nature and tend to undercut their partners' efforts by shooting time and time again from bad positions when things are not going so well. Burnley was a cautionary tale of what can happen when we lose the energy of a player like Mane. I suspect the loss of Lallana or Firmino would be similarly felt.

Thoughts?

 

[darkstarexodus]

Would use today's success as an excuse to keep Coutinho on the bench until someone else's form gives a reason to bring him back in. We looked sharp and dangerous today, a marked change from how predictable we can be at times.

 

[Modo]

Too soon to tell. There's going to be games when one of the players mentioned is going to be wank.
The solution is simple, rotation.
If a system is implemented it shouldn't matter who we play.

 

[KopRed]

I love Coutinho but he's becoming a right Luis Garcia. You never know whether the brilliant or the dud is going to turn up.

The league is becoming so competitive, we can't afford to carry anyone. The most consistently good players get the spots imo.

 

[Frogfish]

I'm not at all sure that Coutinho is an automatic starter for the match at Chelsea. The front 4 were so good yesterday and, without Coutinho blasting 27 shots at goal, had time to create openings. Coutinho needs to learn to control that now oh so predictable instinct to get everything onto his right foot for the shot. He has far more options ahead of him this season and he needs to learn to better utilise them.

Lallana has been an inspiration at the point of the CM and there is no way Klopp is going to drop him, Mane or Firmino (those are his 3 favourites for the way they follow his tactics and press) so it comes down to Coutinho or Sturridge and I'd not move Firmino forward as he looks a far better player on the left than he does in the centre or even on the right.

I would also be surprised if Can came straight back in, Klopp tends to put them on the bench first and maybe give them a run-out. Also Henderson has been very good for the last two games, he was excellent in fact yesterday ( a superb first time ball for our second goal and great cover for Milner at LB), so there is no urgent need to move him upfield and bring in Can, it could still happen though. Wijnaldum is doing a job he's not really suited to but his fine control is seeing him operate as a steady, if unspectacular, fulcrum. It was noticeable how in the 2nd half yesterday Klopp was encouraging him to get forward more.

Karius for Mignolet ? Coutinho for Sturridge ? Can for Wijnaldum ? Moreno for Milner ? Some big calls to be made for Chelsea on Friday.​

 

[Dreambeliever]

Get him on the pitch ffs.

 

[Glen C]

You should have to earn your spot to get in the team. Coutinho has done nothing to warrant him going back in. Maybe some time on the bench will do him good and make him reevaluate his game. That front four against leics deserve to start against Chelsea.

 

[HC]

I'm not sure wijnaldum offers anything that coutinho doesn't do better

 

[Insignificance]

I think his contribution when coming on yesterday was very poor. From having the ball moving fast between the front men we suddenly had one guy that wanted to keep the ball as much as possible...maybe cause he wanted to do in 20 mins what he normally does in 90... He should have come with fresh legs using his brilliant tecnique to utilize the movement we still had. Instead it stopped everytime he got the ball.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Most league games should have mane, studge and Coutinho and frim

 

[Woland]

I'm not into lallana being dropped at the minute. But yeah, wijaldum or whatever, what's he all about?

 

[Frogfish]

I'm not sure wijnaldum offers anything that coutinho doesn't do better

Coutinho can't operate as a CM, which is where Wijnaldum is playing at the moment.

 

[Jerry Laser]

Not a lot was made of Sturridges runs to make space for the goals....

Sturridge pulled the defender away for the first goal, great intelligence.

That mane setup also was great unselfish play from him.

He can look excellent in a collection of players playing as they did.... reminded me of Suarez Gerrard Sterling and him a few seasons back.

Coutinho isnt consistent always but he scores goals too... it will be interesting to see which player misses out mostly during the season.

A good problem to have

 

[Glen C]

Most league games should have mane, studge and Coutinho and frim

Would leave us top heavy and piss poor in midfield. Three out of four should start with one being on the bench to bring on. We're soft in the middle as it is and you wanna drop one of hendo, Lallana and wijnaldum to make space for the 4?

 

[Mystic]

I think Wijni the Pooh gets a bit too much stick on here, he wasn't spectacular yesterday, but he was effective and helped us control the game, he made a number of vital interceptions, generally marshalled midfield alright, and contributed to the attack well. He had a couple of moments around the box where he should have done better, that's what we need to see from him, I'm pretty sure it will come with time.

 

[Mystic]

And anyone suggesting we should drop Lallana, just no, second to only Mane as our best player so far this season.

 

[HC]

Coutinho can't operate as a CM, which is where Wijnaldum is playing at the moment.

Barely, hendo was deep yesterday with wijnalldum trying to get forward whenever possible

I actually think he's quite classy at times, he's very tidy on the ball too

 

[FoxForceFive]

And anyone suggesting we should drop Lallana, just no, second to only Mane as our best player so far this season.

I don't know if it's a purple patch or klopp has been working with Lallana on confidence & timing of runs, but either way, this season he's been the player I thought we were buying initially.

Which is good, cos I've had some shite of my mates for backing him to come good last season when he didn't very often show it.

 

[FoxForceFive]

As for Coutinho, I'd have him benched, you don't change the attacking players when you've scored four in the previous league match.

 

[Modo]

In his current form there's absolutely no argument for dropping him. None.
Wijnaldum on the other hand.
Talking about Lallana btw

 

[FoxForceFive]

I would argue the attack functioning much more effectively without him is a reasonable argument.

A football team isn't necessarily the sum of its parts, & sometimes systems work more effectively with some individuals rather than others.

 

[moron]

He is a great player for us, and has often saved us, but I think it was obvious that the attack is actually more dynamic with Firminho, Studge, and Mane. They move around wide and central but the issue with Coutinho is that he seems to now constantly just go inside to shoot and the majority of the league have got onto this and they are just blocking him with players. I think he has a role to play in congested defenses.

 

[Fabio]

I'm sick of shoe horning players on

Coutinho needs to take his next start by the throat and make that game his bitch. And you know what, he probably will. Then he'll be pap again