How could Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho fit in at Liverpool IF Jurgen Klopp brought the midfielder back to Anfield?

How could Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho fit in at Liverpool IF Jurgen Klopp brought the midfielder back to Anfield?
Philippe Coutinho is currently at the bottom of a very low ebb in his career.After getting his dream move to Barcelona from Liverpool, the midfielder appears to have become an expensive mistake.Seen by many as the natural replacement for Andres Iniesta, Coutinho was booed by his own supporters after being booked against lowly Alaves.

getty6

Philippe Coutinho has struggled during his 18-month spell at Barcelona

And it seems as though the 26-year-old has hit rock bottom.The 142million midfielder has asked to leave Barcelona this summer, according to Cadena SER.Coutinho has lifted two LaLiga titles since his lucrative move from Liverpool in 2018, but was subject to jeers from his own fans after a humiliating Champions League exit at Anfield last season. The Brazil international only managed five goals and two assists during the campaign and his future is said to be unclear.Cadena, however, reckon he has asked officials for a move to reignite his career.Given his relatively pleasant exit from Anfield, a return to Liverpool has been mooted by some sections of the press and now bookmakers.Former teammate Jamie Carragher even admitted he would be happy to see the former Kop idol return.

Getty6Speaking to Liverpool Echo, he said: “I wouldnt say I would be actively going to get him, but if there was a possibility of bringing Coutinho back for decent money, and Barca wanted to cut their losses a little bit because it hasnt worked out, then Id do that.“Would he be welcomed back? Im not sure. But he should be. I dont see any reason why he shouldnt be.

Liverpool players still finding their feet under Jurgen Klopp, admits Philippe Coutinho

getty6

Coutinho was adored by the red half of Merseyside

“I know he got a little bit of stick when he came back (with Barcelona for the Champions League semi-final earlier this month) because he wanted to move.”So could Jurgen Klopp wrangle the little magician back into his side, or are Liverpool just too strong now without him?Below, talkSPORT.com looks at the potential ways in which Coutinho could slot into the European champion’s starting XI.

Back to basics

buildlineup.com6

Cutting in from the left, Coutinho was lethal for Liverpool during his five-year stint

Before leaving for Barca, Klopp deployed Coutinho on the left hand side of a 4-3-3 and granted him the freedom to drift inside and into a more conventional No.10 role.In doing so, it created space out wide for an overlapping full-back. This is the role he currently plays for Barcelona and it has helped Jordi Alba record a huge number of goals and assists as he uses his pace to rampage down the wing.

Liverpool launch their brand new away kit for the 19-20 season While Andy Robertson requires very little encouragement to bomb forward and create, linking up with Coutinho again could grant the Scotland captain even more space out wide.However, unless Sadio Mane leaves this summer, there is simply no way Coutinho usurps him. The Senegal striker scored 22 goals in the Premier League last season and is in the running with Virgil Van Dijk for the Ballon d’Or.

Switch it up

buildlineup.com6

As well as Shaqiri played this season, Coutinho is a far better replacement

When Liverpool have found it hard to play against teams this season, it has tended to be against sides who have sat back and tried to frustrate the Reds. Given the pace they have up front, this is a savvy tactic.In order to combat that, Klopp would occasionally alter his side from an intense 4-3-3 to a more prosaic 4-2-3-1. In the central attacking role behind either Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino, Xherdan Shaqiri was entrusted with the conductor’s baton in an attempt to orchestrate the attack and create a crescendo in the opposition box.While Shaqiri performed admirably during his brief cameo appearances from the bench (most notably when he turned Man United into Swiss cheese back in December) Coutinho is a level or two above.But given’s Klopp insistence on playing 4-3-3 and implementing ‘gegenpressing‘ on the opposition, it begs the question; Would he spend so much on a Plan B?

The Wildcard

buildlineup.com6

Robertson and Alexander-Arnold would benefit massively from this formation

As mentioned previously, Klopp enjoys having a Plan B in his back pocket for when teams sit deep against the Reds. And it is not as if the German could ever be described as a ‘conformist’.The formation depicted above may look complicated, but it has been used by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur for years. By having two disciplined central midfielders in front of a back three, it allows your attacking players to thrive.Furthermore, it grants your wing-backs the licence to bomb forward knowing there is cover behind them. Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Between them last season, they racked up an incredible 29 assists in 88 combined appearances in all competitions for Liverpool.With Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in behind either Salah or Mane, the Reds could be both unstoppable and impenetrable. A frightening prospect.

Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger confirms that the Gunners are close to a new signing meant that the Gunners are still looking for their first win in the new Premier League season
Arsenal news: 'Of course they can!' - Robin van Persie backs

The Portuguese ace celebrates his landmark strike on Saturday

David Luiz scored the decisive penalty after Fernando Llorente wiped out the lead Chelsea took through N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard. Chelsea battled past Tottenham to book a place in the EFL Cup final against holders Manchester City, triumphing 4-2 on penalties after a stirring 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
~ Chelsea vs Tottenham player ratings: The best and worst

The Whites are four points clear at the top of the Championship

Inter Milan 2019/20 home shirt: New design has striking diagonal pattern which could divide fans Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 16, 2019 Inter Milan have had images of their legendary home shirt leaked but there is a slightly alternative approach to the famous blue and black kit.
Inter Milan 2019/20 home shirt: New design has striking

Almiron brought pace and excitement to the visitors

Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent off as Arsenal succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Rennes to leave their Europa League hopes hanging in the balance. Alex Iwobi handed the Gunners a dream start in
Rennes 3-1 Arsenal AS IT HAPPENED: Gunners self destruct in

Watford striker Troy Deeney facing ban after grabbing Joe Allen around neck and laughing during Stoke defeat action from the Football Association; Promoted to German top-flight for the
Jackson - Page 62 - sharpeze.com

A number of people have come out in support of Koulibaly since the alleged incident

Pep Guardiola is 'the architect of his own downfall,' Adrian Durham believes Spurs may be destined to win the Champions League this year, says club legend hopes Man City's season doesn
Liverpool are to blame for feeding Luis Suarez's ego after

Eriksen has been linked with a move away from Spurs

Porto vs Liverpool FREE live stream: How to watch without paying extra plus TV channel, kick-off time and line-ups It's another huge night of Champions League quarter-final action this evening By
Liverpool vs Porto FREE live stream: How to watch without

How England could line-up against Montenegro

CHELSEA legends Jody Morris and John Terry mocked rivals Leeds United as they sat drinking in a beer garden. The Blues pair will be rivals when Aston Villa meet Derby County buzzing' to be
Frank Lampard to discuss Derby future amid Chelsea rumours

Aaron Ramsey is joining Juventus next month

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri makes Premier League history with

Although inconsistent, Zaha has developed into a fine player in his second spell at Selhurst Park

Chelsea's potential new home kit for 2019-20 season leaked complete with bizarre print 'inspired by Stamford Bridge' A leak of Chelsea's potential new home strip for next season has emerged online
Chelsea 2019/20 home kit leaked online - caughtoffside.com

Man City secured back-to-back Premier League titles after finishing just one point above rivals Liverpool

Full commentary of West Brom v Brighton will be LIVE on talkSPORT, with our coverage beginning at 7pm. Natalie Sawyer will bring you all the build up with Sam Matterface and Stuart Pearce on commentary duty. Click below or here for the live commentary stream. You can also listen through the talkSPORT App, on DAB Digital Radio or on MW 1053 or 1089.
~ Doncaster Rovers vs Crystal Palace live on talkSPORT: Free

The job is already done for Emery’s side

Manchester United transfer news: Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder hopeful of bringing Dean Henderson back. The 22-year-old could be considered as a successor to David De Gea if the Spaniard is
NewsNow: Dean Henderson news | Breaking News 24/7

Both Peter and Kasper have enjoyed great success as players

MARK-NO The 29-year-old wants to leave the Hammers to seal a lucrative move to China Marko Arnautovic has been left out of West Ham's squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday. talkSPORT understands the attacker, who wants to seal a lucrative move to China, had not been part of pattern-of-play training at the club's training base […]
Marko Arnautovic: West Ham striker left out of squad to face

PSG are keeping tabs on Matteo Guendouzi

Manchester United will receive £10million if Jose Mourinho becomes Real Madrid boss after settling compensation fee with Portuguese Curated post Real Madrid will have to cough up a £10million bill from Manchester United if they appoint Jose Mourinho for a second time.
Man Utd will get £10m from Real Madrid for Jose Mourinho even

Willian scored the winner against Newcastle

Chelsea fans have lost patience with David Luiz after his gaffe allowed Luka Jovic to score (Pic: GETTY/ BT SPORT) And the forward reaches the ball first, controlling it for Mijat Gaćinović. Chelsea's defender comes forward to attack the ball - but it proves to be a massive mistake.
Chelsea defender David Luiz heavily criticised after woeful