There was a moment during the immediate post-match back-slapping at the Emirates Stadium that, amidst a chorus of boos ringing around the ground, the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was seen embracing his most outstanding player on the day, the Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
After the final whistle, Liverpool stood 3-4 winners over the home side, Coutinho having scored twice. The reaction from his teammates, however, was more telling.
As Coutinho, who had been substituted, stepped back onto the pitch to celebrate with his colleagues, their faces, and perhaps their mouths, all seemed to say the same as they hugged the man of the hour – “You did it. Thanks for that.”
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The same thoughts ran through the minds of Liverpool fans as their club won at the Emirates for the first time since August 2011. On 11 occasions Liverpool played at Arsenal’s second home in the Premier League, only twice have they left as victors.
Extending this even further, since 2000, the Merseysiders have only won three times at Arsenal in the Premier League; the first of those came in February 2000, with Titi Camara’s goal at Highbury representing a break from Liverpool’s traditionally attractive style in the way it was guarded and protected, until it became the winner upon the blow of the final whistle.
Liverpool’s defence still dubious
That victory could not represent a greater contrast with Sunday’s showing at the Emirates. For the modern Liverpool, the defensive side of things continues to remain a concern. Oddly enough, neither the centre-backs nor the much-maligned Simon Mignolet were too much at fault.
This time, it was a weakness down the sides that caused Liverpool to concede three goals, where the usual culprit Alberto Moreno was playing – or perhaps wasn’t.
Matters are not helped by the selection of only two deeper midfielders. Whatever their other gifts, Jordan Henderson and Geroginio Wijnaldum have not the tactical understanding to play a primarily covering role, and the switch to three midfielders must happen sooner rather than later if this frailty is not to become a persistent issue.
In fact, given the way they fell apart in the first fifteen minutes of the second half, it seems strangely ignored that Arsenal were strolling to victory on the strength of their first half showing.
Step up, Coutinho
This is when the match-changing moment occurred. Just how much of professional football is won and lost in the head was made abundantly clear by Coutinho’s wonderful free kick in first-half stoppage time.
It was a splendid goal, banged into the proverbial postage stamp to beat Petr Cech – a reminder of the Brazilian’s unfettered quality, of his ability to score important goals, of the fact that when at his best, there is no Liverpool player with greater decisiveness or a more sublime aesthetic.
The psychological significance of scoring a goal of the highest quality and the time your team needs it the most is remarkable for the kind of effect it has on your opponent. It is, without doubt, the most valuable kind of goal in a goalscorer's weaponry.
A marvellous product of craft and timing. Now granted, there were external circumstances to the following three Liverpool goals after the break – including an excellent run, turn and finish by Sadio Mane on his Liverpool debut.
Arsenal’s much-honed sense of brittleness and a central defensive pairing of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding precluded the whistling of three goals – including another by Coutinho from a Nathaniel Clyne cross – past Cech.
But the point to note is that it was Coutinho whose grievous psychological attack on Arsenal’s enticingly soft mental underbelly by means of a tremendous goal, paved the way for Liverpool to run riot in the early part of the second half.
The Numbers
Last season, Coutinho managed his Liverpool-best tally of 12 goals in all competitions – 8 in the league. In all, his numbers in the Premier League read 23 goals and 22 assists from 108 appearances since his arrival at Anfield in January 2013. These raw figures are actually fine, but not only is Coutinho capable of more, even these double-digits don’t tell the whole story. A closer examination reveals the midfielder’s worth.
Of his 30 goals in Liverpool colours in all competitions, 16 have been scored against Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund – in other words, in big games.
One-fifth of them have been scored in the final fifteen minutes of games – in other words, at clutch moments. To take just one example, in the famous 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield last season, it was Coutinho’s goal that really propelled Liverpool’s charge when the game looked lost.
Simply put, Coutinho has a habit of scoring goals of extraordinary psychological significance. Whether to win games or level them at crucial stages, it is his reputation as the scorer of important goals, perhaps matched only by Daniel Sturridge in the Liverpool squad, that is his true value to the side.
Yet, frustratingly, it has often not looked that way. Though genuinely capable of 10 goals and 10 assists in a season, Coutinho has struggled to consistently hit the heights he is capable of. The mere presence of his creative threat in the line-up is a remarkable psychological weapon in itself, but at times the Brazilian has looked too much a sheep in a wolf’s clothing.
This was laid rather bare in last season’s Europa League final when, identified as Liverpool’s big threat and marked out of the game, Coutinho could only watch as Liverpool imploded in the second half to hand the trophy to Sevilla.
Klopp's tactics give Coutinho freedom
Klopp’s remodelling of Liverpool’s attack may, however, be what Coutinho needs to regularly realise his boundless ability. The Reds are moving from a system designed to get 20 goals out of one or two strikers (as in the 2013-14 season) to a more equitable one; players such as Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings, Divock Origi and new signing Mane are all emerging as credible threats.
These players are quick, persistent and hard-running. They are perfect fits for Klopp’s high-intensity style, but more relevantly, their sharing of the goal-scoring burden in equal fashion – 10 goals from each is not an outlandish demand – and ability to find and create space reduces the pressure on Coutinho and thus gives him greater freedom.
A fluid, interchanging attack gives Liverpool’s number ten many more targets to aim at and opposing defences more headaches to deal with. As a result of this, the availability of greater space and the creative qualities of his colleagues, plus opportunities from set pieces, all give Coutinho avenues to maximise his impact.
Ironically, the creation of this ensemble cast could ensure Liverpool's leading light, instead of dimming, shines brighter than ever. At 24 and with three-and-a-half seasons under his belt, in many ways, Coutinho’s journey has only just begun.
True, it is unduly hasty to draw conclusions on the basis of one game. True, Liverpool’s next game – against Burnley – could see Coutinho revert frustratingly to his wayward shooting.
But the opportunity it offers, especially with a string of clutch games early in the season, to bury the ghosts of the past inconsistency and help Liverpool mount a challenge for the Champions League places is even larger. It is time for Coutinho to tear up the Premier League in a manner commensurate with his ability.
