Didi Hamann feels Liverpool will feel Coutinho loss later rather than now

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The German believes the tail-end of the season is when the Brazilian’s exit will be most keenly felt.

Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou on January 28, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

Former Liverpool player Didi Hamann has been discussing the departure of Philippe Coutinho from the club and when he feels they will feel the impact of his exit in an interview with the Daily Mail.

The Brazilian was sold to Barcelona last month for a fee reported by the BBC to be in the region of £142 million, one of the most expensive transfers of all time.

At first Liverpool fans were left thinking, ‘Coutinwho?’, as they beat Manchester City in style and continued their winning run. But they did suffer a recent dip in form but Hamann, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, does not even believe they have suffered the full brunt of his exit yet:

“I don’t know why you make all this fuss in the summer and then sell him in January, I think if Coutinho stayed you’d still be in the FA Cup. It gives you a better chance of finishing in the top four. It gives you a far better chance of going deep in the Champions League.

TOPSHOT – Barcelona’s new Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho shows his new jersey before holding a press conference in Barcelona on January 8, 2018.

“He has been the most important player. As well as Mane and Salah and Firmino have done, I think he has been the heartbeat of that forward line. I think him going… in a few weeks, in a few months, we will see the harm it has done, him leaving.”

Hamann, it seems, believes the lack of Coutinho from a mere quality depth perception will be a big loss to Liverpool. With the Champions League and a top four battle on their hands not having the Brazilian maestro around could throw the season for the Reds.

Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on December 26, 2017 in Liverpool, England.

The pressure on Firmino, Salah and Mane to perform brilliantly week in week out is now intensified in Coutinho’s absence and, with plenty of games left this season, it could be a major issue.

Hamann is right. It might not be now, or next month, but come April and May then Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool may rue not having their little genius around until the end of this season.