Barcelona 1-0 Levante: 5 Talking points | LaLiga 2018-19

#2 Coutinho in pole position to start against Liverpool

FC Barcelona v Levante UD - La Liga

Lionel Messi came on at half-time replacing Philippe Coutinho which was a surprise. Coutinho wasn't the worst man on the pitch and in fact, he was one of the better players. He dribbled well, looked more confident on the ball, opened up spaces for shooting, hit the target, did it all. Dembele, on the other hand, had a night full of ups and downs.

The Frenchman had the pace to ram through the Levante defense as he did on multiple occasions. However, his decision making in the final third was poor. On an occasion when he should have cut it back to Messi, he attempted a curler and missed it. On another occasion when he should have attempted to curl it with the right foot, he tried to pass it to Messi. But still, he tiptoed through the Levante defense into the box and dragged three defenders out of their positions, for Messi to finish with ease.

Coutinho was withdrawn by Valverde but it suggests that it is due to the fact that the gaffer needs him against Liverpool. By the looks of it, Coutinho is in pole position to start against Liverpool in the Champions League.