When a high-profile player switches clubs, they take their star power and potential for results with them. This was the case of Philippe Coutinho, the Brazilian midfielder who left Anfield for Camp Nou almost four years ago. His departure changed Betway EPL soccer betting immediately – he was one of the key players for Liverpool, scoring more than 40 goals in his 150-plus league games. But at Barcelona, he seems to be a mere shadow of his former self.
Mismanaged
Back in the day, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said, when talking about Coutinho, that he wouldn’t do as well at any other team as he can at Liverpool. “Stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour. Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player,” he said.
His time at Barcelona seems to confirm every single word Klopp said. From an open, welcoming place where he was already settled – Anfield – he ended up in a high-pressure, competitive environment. And this clearly left a mark on his performance.
In his first season, Coutinho performed remarkably, with 9 goals and 7 assists from 25 matches. The next season was, in turn, different. When switching formations – from the traditional 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 (preferred by Coutinho, by the way) manager Ernesto Valverde mixed up the players. Coutinho traditionally played in the left, and Klopp left that space for him to use as “his” territory – at Barca, he often got overshadowed by Jordi Alba and Messi, and his new position exposed some of his shortcomings.
Now, if he would’ve been given time to adapt to his new position on the left, he could’ve become the amazing player he has proven to be at Anfield. Instead, he was loaned out to Bayern Munich – a surprising move, considering the price Barca paid for the player.
“Played well in some games”
Coutinho started his first season under Niko Kovač – his management role was short-lived, though, ending with a devastating defeat from Eintracht Frankfurt. Kovač went away, replaced by Hansi Flick who mixed up the players at the team, leaving Coutinho without a clear position. He became a “rotation player” instead of a “role player”, scoring 11 goals and providing 9 assists during his time at Bayern, even if he missed a large chunk of the season due to an injury. His time at Bayern was summed up by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as “he has played well in some games…sometimes he gives the impression that he’s inhibited”.
A series of unfortunate events
Upon his return to Barca, Coutinho once again started the season great – under the helm of Ronald Koeman, the team switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation that was perfect for him. But as the season went on, his performances started to dwindle, and Koeman switched back to a 4-3-3, once again leaving him without a specific position. Plus, Koeman preferred Pedri, and Coutinho once again suffered an injury – all these unfortunate events left him with little to show for. And even rumours about his departure started to circulate.
Some fans would love to have him back
Many Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to urge the Reds to bring Coutinho back. Given his history with Klopp, many think the team would be unstoppable with him, along with Thiago, in the midfield. Others, of course, are eager to point out his shortcomings and the fact that it was him who wanted to leave.
What do you think: would Coutinho’s return to Anfield be a good move?