Liverpool are currently leading the Premier League standings with a healthy four-point advantage over the current champions of England, Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp has managed to guide his players into mounting a serious title charge this season. However, to the surprise of many, most of the Merseyside club’s recent success has been down to their stellar defensive record in the league so far in this campaign.
There are still some lingering question marks over their ability to create opportunities from midfield. Ever since, Philippe Coutinho’s departure to Barcelona at the start of 2018, the Reds have struggled to find enough creativity and invention from their midfielders with Klopp often opting to play Xherdan Shaqiri or Roberto Firmino in a playmaking role to create better opportunities for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to feed on during games.
According to a recent report by Sport, Barcelona are growing increasingly frustrated with Philippe Coutinho’s lack of impact ever since he arrived at the Camp Nou, a year ago. Marca has also blamed the Brazilian playmaker for wasting a lot of opportunities of late despite given chances to shine under Ernesto Valverde this season. The Spanish news outlet went on to claim that Coutinho is ‘stuck in a dangerous hibernation’ and has not shown any signs of improvement for the Catalans this season.
A report in the Standard has also revealed that there were plenty of Barca fans who were left frustrated by Coutinho’s lack of involvement in the game against Girona and questioned whether he is ‘being ignored’ by his Barcelona teammates.
The Brazilian’s current situation at the Spanish club is quite dire so he might want to move on to greener pastures before Valverde decides to bench him for good. Hence, a return to Liverpool might be a good move for all parties.
Liverpool are in need of a playmaker who can help them win the Premier League title while the player can also benefit from a change in scenery as he attempts to turn things around for the better on the pitch.
The fact remains that Barca paid a hefty fee for the player last year, so it is difficult to see how the Reds would be willing to pay a significant amount to seal a return for their former star. However, a loan deal could work for both clubs which is why the Reds should at least try and bring Coutinho back to Anfield in the near future.
