Liverpool: The Reds taking a big gamble – not ‘replacing’ Philippe Coutinho

In the wake of two massively disappointing defeats to the likes of, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion, speculation is rising over the lack of ambition Liverpool have shown in this winter’s transfer window, after losing Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.

As quickly as Virgil van Dijk’s arrival had been announced, at the beginning of the transfer window. A great deal of the jubilation came to a screeching halt when Coutinho’s departure was announced.

Just about everyone expected that his move to Barcelona wouldn’t take place until the summer window. Daniel Sturridge’s departure to West Brom on loan was also just announced, which all of a sudden makes Liverpool’s squad look quite thin, given their lack of a true, natural number 9 striker.

Roberto Firmino, has been Jurgen Klopp’s preference, playing as an auxiliary false 9, but it really only works when Liverpool are playing their high pressing game.

As it stands, if Firmino were to pick up an injury, Liverpool could be facing the prospect of having to start Danny Ings, or Dominic Solanke, up front in a Champions League knockout stage match in front of, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. Neither Ings, nor Solanke, have proven themselves on that stage yet.

Next: Sturridge takes leave from Anfield

Klopp: “No replacement for Coutinho this January”

During his press conference, previewing Liverpool’s match against Huddersfield. Klopp admitted that Liverpool do not plan on buying a replacement for Coutinho, in the remaining days of the winter transfer window (via SkySports):

"“Philippe Coutinho is not going to be replaced in this transfer window.“It’s about using our own tools, players and tactics.“We could have won these games (against Swansea and West Brom).“It was not about creating chances, it was about different stuff.Against Swansea, it was the formation, against West Brom it was defending.“I don’t think Phil would have helped a lot in these situations.“The solution is not out there on the transfer market at the moment.“We always have open eyes but we really think we have to use our players.“In the long-term, we will do a lot, in the short-term, I don’t think so.”"

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 A glaring lack of creativity without Coutinho:

The scintillating 4-3 victory over Manchester City aside, Liverpool have been well below average in their last two outings. Having been out-scored by, Swansea and West Brom, is not the kind of goal return you’d be expecting after spending £75m on a center back. With the way that both, Swansea and West Brom, set up against Liverpool – sitting back so deep and compact in defense, the lack of creativity was noticeable.

Liverpool are so deadly when matches become open, but without Coutinho in the midfield, they looked like they struggled to find ways to break through really tight defenses – it’s exactly the type of setup where Coutinho had been so effective in the past with his ability to create half yards of space, to thread the killer pass through and catch defenses on their heels.

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Without discrediting the likes of Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, and Jordan Henderson, there’s simply no denying the fact that a massive element of creativity has been lost.  They all put forth an exceptional work rate, but Coutinho’s vision and precision is simply one of a kind.

Liverpool entertained the idea of advancing Naby Keita’s deal forward from RB Leipzig, as the midfielder is set to join the Reds this summer, but Leipzig were not interested in letting him go early.  Elsewhere, Liverpool’s been linked with AS Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, but Klopp felt as if the club’s £90m valuation of him was quite steep.

Next: Match preview: Swansea City vs Arsenal

Other than that, Liverpool really haven’t shown any real intent to bring anyone else in, and try to replace Coutinho. It could prove to be a costly decision.