One player that embodies Liverpool supporters' famous chant, ' Poetry in Motion' perfectly is Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian, when on form, can match anyone in the business in terms of sheer brilliance on a football ground.
In just four years and at such a young age, Coutinho has established himself as Liverpool's go-to guy after the departures of Luis Suarez and then Steven Gerrard.
Recently, former Liverpool player Emile Heskey, and club captain, Jordan Henderson, praised Coutinho and even said that he can reach the levels set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
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Luis Suarez, when he left the Reds, told the then Liverpool captain, Gerrard, to take care of the little magician. Though the Brazilian will not feature in European competitions this season, he is one of the hottest properties in world football.
There is one thing that has bogged Coutinho down – is his inability to win games for his side on a regular basis. The 24-year-old has won games single-handedly for the Reds on many occasions but not every time can a player score a worldie to win all three points for his side.
The supporters adore the Brazilian and even have a song and a banner for him at the Kop end.
The Numbers
Coutinho scored 12 goals and provided 6 assists in 43 appearances for the Reds last season. Those numbers aren't bad for an attacking midfielder, but, we are talking about a special talent who has not given enough justice to the magic that his famed right foot possesses. Inconsistent is the word that best defines both Philippe Coutinho and Liverpool in recent seasons.
The 24-year old has an eye for goal and scored delightful goals against the likes of Stoke City, Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund. His recent strike against Arsenal will be one of the best free kicks of this season, as well as his goals against Manchester United in the Europa League and the winner against Man City in the 2013-14 will be etched in every Liverpool supporters' memory for a long time.
There is no doubt that, when on song, he can give the likes of Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez a run for their money.
When it's not his day, Coutinho can cut a frustrating figure on the field. Last season he averaged four shots per game – a number that even some strikers cannot boast of. This season too, he was simply brilliant against Arsenal but was pretty average in the loss to Burnley. He had more attempts on goal than the entire Burnley team put together but still could not garner one decent save from Tom Heaton.
Against Spurs on Saturday, Coutinho was the least influential Liverpool player on the field as the Reds drew against Spurs, in what could have been all three points had Coutinho converted an easy chance that he missed in the first few minutes of the game.
Finishing problems
Finishing has always been Coutinho's major flaw as he has missed a fair number of chances in his Liverpool career. Though he has improved his finishing aspect in the last two seasons, the Brazilian needs a season like Eden Hazard's 2014-15 season, which can catapult his individual success eventually into Liverpool's glory.
His passing too, at times, can be called questionable, as he sometimes try to complete a killer pass which leads to a loss of possession. His passing accuracy suffers and ultimately, the team suffers.
At 24, Coutinho's peak years are ahead of him, but he needs to take the mantle of being Liverpool's main man and help the team challenge for trophies on a regular basis again.
The season ahead
Under Jurgen Klopp, he has got a manager whose style suits his playing style well. He has done well in the high pressing strategy but often needs to be subbed off in the second half, as he seems to run out of steam after the hour mark.
With no European midweek duties, Coutinho can work on his fitness and hope to have a consistent 2016-17 campaign. The Brazilian can pull off some amazing tricks, which can give the whole stadium a lift, but has to add the end product to his game.
Coutinho has all the aspects that are needed to reach the top level and drive his team to victory. His international teammate Neymar once stated that Coutinho would be perfect at Barcelona and there have been rumours of a possible move to the Catalan club. He needs to do a lot of justice to the faith restored in him at Liverpool before thinking of a move elsewhere.
The magician from Brazil has enthralled viewers with his skills and extravagant finishes to make a complete mockery of the opposition keeper.
The one act which is not so appreciated in the football field, is the disappearing act, which the boy from Rio has done on numerous occasions.
