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Coutinho Cameo Against QPR Demands Real Madrid Start

Picture of Jack Lusby

Jack Lusby

A decisive cameo by Philippe Coutinho against QPR shows why the Brazilian No. 10 should start against Real Madrid on Wednesday, writes Jack Lusby.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 19, 2014: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia celebrates scoring the second goal against Queens Park Rangers with team-mate captain Steven Gerrard during the Premier League match at Loftus Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Having struggled to find form so far this season, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho made an emphatic return to form for the Reds in their 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers in Sunday’s Premier League clash.

The 22-year-old was brought into the fold, after an impressive international break with Dunga’s Brazil, on 66 minutes.

The introduction of Coutinho and Joe Allen provided Brendan Rodgers’ side with the impetus required to force their way to three points against the R’s; Liverpool’s defence remained abysmal, but forward play improved immeasurably.

With the Reds welcoming European giants Real Madrid to Anfield on Wednesday night, Coutinho provided Rodgers with a timely reminder of his supreme talents, and this should demand a starting role against Carlo Ancelotti’s Galacticos.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23-N4r9Pe-A

Coutinho vs. QPR

Against QPR, from his first move, taking the ball on the left flank before charging into the centre before laying the ball off to right-sider Raheem Sterling, every time Coutinho touched the ball Liverpool looked more threatening.

Always happy to receive the ball and, most importantly, make something in the attacking third, Coutinho lifted his teammates in timely fashion.

What’s more, the midfielder provided a rare glimpse of his talents in front of goal, with the goal to put the Reds 2-1 up, on 90 minutes.

A determined, bursting run typified Coutinho’s short display, and Liverpool looked somewhat like the immense attacking prospect of last season on the counter attack.

The 22-year-old turned provider with a sleek through-ball pass to the onrushing Raheem Sterling, whose cross was helped into the net by Steven Caulker, sealing the three points for Rodgers’ side.

Coutinho finished the game, having played around 25 minutes, with, according to WhoScored, a passing accuracy of 81.8 per cent, with two successful dribbles and a goal, making a fair claim for Man of the Match.

 

Real Madrid

Clearly, an impressive showing at Loftus Road is a different matter entirely to the visit of Madrid to Anfield; Los Meringues are one of Europe’s leading forces, with a phenomenal array of stars.

Gloss over the attacking talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema, Ancelotti’s side could arguably nullify Liverpool from elsewhere on the pitch.

This is where Coutinho will find his challenge.

Finding space and time on the ball in between the possessive talents of Isco, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will test the playmaker’s ingenuity, and if Ancelotti is to field a specialist defensive midfielder such as Sami Khedira or Asier Illarramendi would limit this possibility further.

However, Coutinho is a player of European and international experience, and no stranger to this type of competition, or in fact, Spanish opposition, having spent a season on loan in La Liga with Espanyol.

Having played for European giants Inter Milan, as well as Liverpool, the 22-year-old is well-steeped in the history of the Champions League, and is looking to emulate “Ronaldinho, who is one of my heroes,” this season.

An exquisite assist for Brazil captain Neymar in the recent 4-0 victory over Japan saw Coutinho make another step towards the former Barcelona and PSQ phenom.

On the form that Coutinho is in, and based on his determined, incisive display against QPR, the Brazilian could be the player that shatters the Madrid stability.

 

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 19, 2014: Liverpool's Mario Balotelli in action against Queens Park Rangers' Yun Suk-Young during the Premier League match at Loftus Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Support for Balotelli

The main talking point, dreadful defence aside, post-QPR is the continued struggles of Italian forward Mario Balotelli, who extended his barren Premier League run to six games; 431 minutes, 30 attempted shots.

It is clear that Balotelli, who shone against Spurs on his debut, is finding it difficult to function as a lone striker—the prolonged injury to Daniel Sturridge has dictated this.

This is becoming a drain on Rodgers’ system, with the longer Balotelli fails to find the net, the more desperate his profligacy becomes—see his miss-of-the-season contender at Loftus Road for the perfect example.

The striker himself recently declared that “I have never been a real, out-and-out striker…If it was my choice, I would always go with two strikers,” highlighting the need to provide support for Balotelli.

Continuing to force Balotelli into the lone striker role is a detriment to his talents, and should end against Madrid.

https://twitter.com/MrBoywunder/status/524321305588289536

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher suggested dropping the Italian completely for Wednesday night’s tie, with 19-year-old forward Raheem Sterling operating as a false nine in his stead.

This is a potent option for the Reds, but perhaps not a worthy experiment at such a high level.

Instead, Sterling should partner Balotelli up front, with the Englishman’s intelligent, off-the-shoulder runs complementing the £16 million man’s deep-lying creativity and work rate.

Bringing Coutinho into the side would allow Rodgers to experiment with this idea.

In Carragher’s line-up the playmaker is featured on the right flank, but Coutinho’s best role for this tie would be behind the strikers in the No. 10 role.

His creativity would flourish behind Sterling, and the exceptional through ball for Sterling to set up Liverpool’s third on Sunday underlines this.

The form of Philippe Coutinho seems to work in cycles, with a particular peak impending—Brendan Rodgers should capitalise on this and unleash the Brazilian against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Should Philippe Coutinho start against Real Madrid? Let us know in the comments below.

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