Ex-Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has received criticism.
Liverpool picked up yet another win on Saturday afternoon, as they came from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park, with Mohamed Salah grabbing the winner.
The Reds continue to go from strength to strength in 2018, as after 11 Premier League games in 2018, they have picked up eight wins, losing just twice as they chase second place behind Manchester City.
With the Champions League clash against City coming up on Wednesday night, Liverpool fans are buoyant right now – but things aren’t quite going so well for playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool lost playmaker Coutinho to Barcelona in a huge deal in January, as the Catalan giants paid around £142million to sign the Brazilian sensation, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Coutinho was expected to become a superstar with Barca, and whilst he has hit three goals and two assists for the club, he hasn’t always dazzled for Ernesto Valverde’s side since his move.
Coutinho played 90 minutes of Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla over the weekend, in which a late show from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi rescued a point for Barca.
Whilst Coutinho chipped in with an assist for Messi’s goal, his performance received huge criticism from pundit Terry Gibson, who was speaking to Sky Sports.
Gibson has suggested that he was expecting to see more from Coutinho given the fee Barcelona paid for him, and even felt that he started hiding against Sevilla as he was playing the simple ball rather than being creative and adventurous, stating that he doesn’t deserve a ‘settling in period’ because of his transfer fee.
“I must admit I am hoping, and expecting, to see more from Coutinho, to be honest,” said Gibson. “I know there is a settling in period, but he’s come in as the finished article, whereas Ousmane Dembele is the younger player, with less games under his belt. Coutinho has come in as the finished article. Watching him at the weekend, it was clear how much difference there was in the Barca side when Lionel Messi came on. I know it’s not fair to judge Coutinho against Messi, but he didn’t contribute to the cause.
“As the game went on, he was more prepared to make the easy pass, where it needed more. It needed him to drive at defenders, and get shots in on goal, create chances. But he was doing the opposite, he was getting the ball and laying it off, and even getting caught in possession. We should have [higher expectations of Coutinho]. We shouldn’t just allow this settling-in period, when you cost that much. He’s had moments where he’s scored good goals, made goals. It was a tough game, but I thought he could have done better,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
