3 players that can realistically replace Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool

With the January transfer window in full flow, the Philippe Coutinho transfer saga continues to gather momentum.

With new information coming out every day, who knows what's in store in the Brazilian’s future, but with Liverpool looking to establish themselves as a consistent top 4 team and being in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2008/09, it would take some offer to pry the midfielder away from Merseyside this month.

You don't fight as hard as Liverpool did in the summer to keep a player, then have him enter the best form of his career only to sell him halfway through the season. But then again, new reports are coming out every day, so you never know what will happen.

If Coutinho does leave this month, a top quality replacement will obviously be needed. Someone with Coutinho’s creatively is essential.

Just Like Coutinho, these players can play in a midfield 3 or on the wing in a 4-3-3 formation, or as a wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation - two formations Klopp has switched between this season.

That being said, here's a look at a few players who would be suitable replacements for the Brazilian at Liverpool:

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#3 Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain)

Julian Draxler possesses traits similar to Philippe Coutinho

Julian Draxler was linked with a move to Liverpool last January but opted to join Paris Saint-Germain. He had a good half a season in France, but since Neymar and Kylian Mbappe arrived in the French capital, Draxler has seen his play time reduced.

Klopp is clearly a fan of the 24-year-old having wanted him last year and this summer could be the perfect time for him to bring his fellow German to Merseyside. Draxler has shown he can be a world-class player and under Klopp, he could flourish and become Liverpool’s talisman.

Draxler’s dribbling and long range shooting is close to, if not on par with Coutinho’s, while he also provides a similar set-piece threat as the Brazilian. Draxler pulling the strings behind Liverpool’s front three will be an absolute nightmare for any team.

#2 Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

Riyad Mahrez's versatility will hold Liverpool in good stead

After just 6 goals and 3 assists last season, Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez is back to his best, having scored 7 goals and assisted 7 more in 21 league appearances so far this season. Ever since Leicester City's history-making season, in which Mahrez scored 17 and assisted 11, the Algerian has been rumoured to leave every single transfer window.

But, now may be the perfect time to make the jump and Liverpool could be the perfect club. Mahrez will offer as similar goal scoring threat to Coutinho, while also possessing an eye for a great pass and ability to score absolute wordies.

Able to play on the left or right, Mahrez would fit perfect at Liverpool on the winger, but he hasn't played in a midfield three. So this transfer would only really make sense if Klopp can fit Mahrez in both positions, for which, according to me, he has all the necessary attributes.

If Klopp can see him fitting in then Mahrez will add the flair and trickery that Coutinho brought to the Reds' midfield.

#1 Thomas Lemar (AS Monaco)

Is Thomas Lemar the ideal successor to Philippe Coutinho?

Monaco saw a mass exit of players last summer after winning the Ligue 1 title, and also reaching the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoué Bakayoko, and Kylian Mbappé, all left the French club.

Notably, one big player stayed back - Thomas Lemar. Lemar was heavily linked to both, Liverpool and Arsenal near the end of the window, but a move never materialized and with rumours flaring up again this month it could finally be time for the 22-year-old to make a move to England.

Lemar scored 9 goals and made 10 assists last season, similar to Coutinho’s 13 goals and 7 assists. And while Coutinho’s goal involvements this season do trump Lemar’s, the Frenchman would still be the ideal replacement.

Rumored to be valued at a whopping £90 million, Lemar has a very similar play style to the Brazilian. His dribbling ability is top notch, he can play the ball through the eye of a needle and he also shares Coutinho's ability on free kicks and long distance shooting.

He has proven his quality in the centre of the pitch or on the left, and Lemar would be a like-for-like replacement, as well as someone Liverpool should definitely look at to fill in Coutinho’s well-blessed impactful shoes.