Liverpool got back to winning ways on Saturday as the Reds dispatched Sunderland 2-0 at Anfield. Divock Origi and James Milner got on the scoresheet for the Merseysider’s. However, the win may not be the biggest talking of the game.
The biggest talking point of the game was arguably an ankle injury picked up by Liverpool’s Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho mid-way through the first half. The in-form star had to be stretchered off the field.
The extent of Coutinho ankle injury is not yet known, but reports suggest that it is not a break as first feared. The extent of the injury may not yet be known, but what is known is that Coutinho’s absence from the team for any sustained length of time would be damaging for Liverpool’s title bid.
Coutinho is one of the Reds key attacking players. He orchestrates a lot of Liverpool’s attacks, combining brilliantly with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane. Coutinho has played a big part in the Reds good start to the campaign, having produced five goals and six assists in the top-flight this season.
Without Coutinho, Jurgen Klopp’s side are unlikely to be as dynamic or easy on the eye. Their build up is slightly less inventive without the bright Brazilian star. Take him out of the team and they depend more on the likes of Mane and Firmino to produce moments of brilliance.
Both players are highly capable of doing so. However, it seems to be Coutinho that knits everything together in that attacking third for the Reds.
Everybody connected with Liverpool will be hoping that Coutinho’s absence from the team is not a long one. Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have so far looked like real title contenders this season. Without Coutinho, for any long length of time, they may struggle to keep their title challenge up.