Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Philippe Coutinho has all the attributes to become a playmaker similar to Real Madrid duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Over the last couple of months the Brazil international, who signed a new long-term contract which runs until the summer of 2020 on Tuesday, has enjoyed arguably his best spell since arriving at Anfield in the 2013 January transfer window.
His threat around goal could improve – the 22-year-old has scored just twice and provided four assists this season – but Rodgers is not concerned if he develops into a player like either of those currently running the midfield of the reigning European champions.
“If you look at that type of player he is, you look at Modric,” the Reds boss said. “He doesn’t have a big goalscoring record, but he is a world-class player, a continuity player.
“He can make passes and put the ball in behind and he gets the odd goal from outside the box. He is a top-class player who can create the game who is so important in opening up doors for the team.
“Toni Kroos is another of that type; a wonderful footballer and great passer.
“They maybe don’t get as many goals for what their technique is, but their role is to sit behind the ball and create goals for others.
“Their role is not to score 20 a season. Phil’s numbers will improve, but it is not the be all and end all if he doesn’t get 20 a season.”
Rodgers believes Coutinho’s threat in the final third will increase with experience, but he is now starting to take a greater responsibility in the team’s attacking endeavours.
“His game is about making and creating the goals, but as he gets more experienced he will understand better and there will be other players to make those final passes and that will allow him to penetrate further forward,” Rodgers added.
“He has a wonderful strike on him, so it will be about arriving into areas where he can make movements without the ball.
“There are areas to improve in the accuracy on his shooting; he has a wonderful move to work the space but at times you see him dragging the shot.
“At the minute I don’t have too many complaints about him as he’s pressing the game really well, he is being aggressive in hunting the ball and his two assists at the weekend were sublime.
“Hopefully in years to come the goals will come more readily for him.”
Coutinho could find himself rested for Wednesday’s FA Cup fourth-round replay at Sky Bet Championship side Bolton as Rodgers is conscious not to burn out one of his brightest attacking talents.
Liverpool have played virtually twice a week since Christmas, with their involvement in the Capital One Cup two-legged semi-final defeat to Chelsea, and there will be no let-up with European football returning this month with a home and away tie against Besiktas in the Europa League.
While he did not bolster his squad in the transfer window, Rodgers is confident there is enough depth to see them through to a strong finish to the season.
“I think we played 42 games last year and we’ve played 39 up to now,” he said. “The idea (in the summer) was to bring in a squad which could cope with that.
“Of course there is a lot of development to take place with those players, but we brought them in because we want to be in competitions until late on and challenging for league titles, and for that you need to have a good squad.
“It was a difficult start to the season for other teams with full squads playing well, but for us we needed to find our identity again and we’ve got that and I think our best football is ahead of us.
“After that (Chelsea) game there was maybe a feeling as to whether it would provoke a negative reaction to our season, but it has only prompted our momentum. It has given us great encouragement.”
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Philippe Coutinho has all the attributes to become a playmaker similar to Real Madrid duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Over the last couple of months the Brazil international, who signed a new long-term contract which runs until the summer of 2020 on Tuesday, has enjoyed arguably his best spell since arriving at Anfield in the 2013 January transfer window.
His threat around goal could improve – the 22-year-old has scored just twice and provided four assists this season – but Rodgers is not concerned if he develops into a player like either of those currently running the midfield of the reigning European champions.
“If you look at that type of player he is, you look at Modric,” the Reds boss said. “He doesn’t have a big goalscoring record, but he is a world-class player, a continuity player.
“He can make passes and put the ball in behind and he gets the odd goal from outside the box. He is a top-class player who can create the game who is so important in opening up doors for the team.
“Toni Kroos is another of that type; a wonderful footballer and great passer.
“They maybe don’t get as many goals for what their technique is, but their role is to sit behind the ball and create goals for others.
“Their role is not to score 20 a season. Phil’s numbers will improve, but it is not the be all and end all if he doesn’t get 20 a season.”
Rodgers believes Coutinho’s threat in the final third will increase with experience, but he is now starting to take a greater responsibility in the team’s attacking endeavours.
“His game is about making and creating the goals, but as he gets more experienced he will understand better and there will be other players to make those final passes and that will allow him to penetrate further forward,” Rodgers added.
“He has a wonderful strike on him, so it will be about arriving into areas where he can make movements without the ball.
“There are areas to improve in the accuracy on his shooting; he has a wonderful move to work the space but at times you see him dragging the shot.
“At the minute I don’t have too many complaints about him as he’s pressing the game really well, he is being aggressive in hunting the ball and his two assists at the weekend were sublime.
“Hopefully in years to come the goals will come more readily for him.”
Coutinho could find himself rested for Wednesday’s FA Cup fourth-round replay at Sky Bet Championship side Bolton as Rodgers is conscious not to burn out one of his brightest attacking talents.
Liverpool have played virtually twice a week since Christmas, with their involvement in the Capital One Cup two-legged semi-final defeat to Chelsea, and there will be no let-up with European football returning this month with a home and away tie against Besiktas in the Europa League.
While he did not bolster his squad in the transfer window, Rodgers is confident there is enough depth to see them through to a strong finish to the season.
“I think we played 42 games last year and we’ve played 39 up to now,” he said. “The idea (in the summer) was to bring in a squad which could cope with that.
“Of course there is a lot of development to take place with those players, but we brought them in because we want to be in competitions until late on and challenging for league titles, and for that you need to have a good squad.
“It was a difficult start to the season for other teams with full squads playing well, but for us we needed to find our identity again and we’ve got that and I think our best football is ahead of us.
“After that (Chelsea) game there was maybe a feeling as to whether it would provoke a negative reaction to our season, but it has only prompted our momentum. It has given us great encouragement.”
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Liverpool could yet agree a deal to sign Danny Ings from Burnley before the summer transfer window opens, according to a report on Wednesday.
Ings’ contract expires this summer, meaning he is free to leave the Lancashire club but due to his age – 22 – Liverpool would have to pay £3 million compensation.
A report in the Daily Mail claims Liverpool are seeking to use Premier League rule U8, meaning Liverpool can sign a pre- contract with Ings and his club — subject to the approval of the Premier League Board — which guarantees the player a transfer to Anfield in the summer while allowing him to stay at Burnley for the rest of this season.
They claim the Reds are prepared to pay up to £5 million for the English striker, who has scored seven goals this season. It’s also claimed that Ings favours a move to Liverpool.
The Mail’s report is similar to that in The Independent yesterday, who claimed Liverpool are now expected to agree terms with the Turf Moor club in the next few weeks, in a deal which would see Ings arrive in June – possibly for a fee of £5m.
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Liverpool could yet agree a deal to sign Danny Ings from Burnley before the summer transfer window opens, according to a report on Wednesday.
Ings’ contract expires this summer, meaning he is free to leave the Lancashire club but due to his age – 22 – Liverpool would have to pay £3 million compensation.
A report in the Daily Mail claims Liverpool are seeking to use Premier League rule U8, meaning Liverpool can sign a pre- contract with Ings and his club — subject to the approval of the Premier League Board — which guarantees the player a transfer to Anfield in the summer while allowing him to stay at Burnley for the rest of this season.
They claim the Reds are prepared to pay up to £5 million for the English striker, who has scored seven goals this season. It’s also claimed that Ings favours a move to Liverpool.
The Mail’s report is similar to that in The Independent yesterday, who claimed Liverpool are now expected to agree terms with the Turf Moor club in the next few weeks, in a deal which would see Ings arrive in June – possibly for a fee of £5m.
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Liverpool will return to Australia later this year as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2015-16 campaign.
Liverpool, who last visited Australia two years ago, will play Brisbane Roar at Queensland's Suncorp Stadium on July 17 before tackling Adelaide United at the Adelaide Oval three days later.
"We visited Australia for the first time two years ago and the support we received from our Australian fans was incredible," said Liverpool chief executive officer Ian Ayre.
"Liverpool FC has over 600,000 supporters in Australia and we look forward to meeting as many of them as possible while we are in the country.
"Pre-season is an important time for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season and the matches against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United are an exciting part of that preparation, giving our supporters a chance to see the team up close, no matter how far away from Anfield they live."
Liverpool will return to Australia later this year as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2015-16 campaign.
Liverpool, who last visited Australia two years ago, will play Brisbane Roar at Queensland's Suncorp Stadium on July 17 before tackling Adelaide United at the Adelaide Oval three days later.
"We visited Australia for the first time two years ago and the support we received from our Australian fans was incredible," said Liverpool chief executive officer Ian Ayre.
"Liverpool FC has over 600,000 supporters in Australia and we look forward to meeting as many of them as possible while we are in the country.
"Pre-season is an important time for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season and the matches against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United are an exciting part of that preparation, giving our supporters a chance to see the team up close, no matter how far away from Anfield they live."
Liverpool Football Club today announced that the Club will be returning to Australia in July as part of their 2015 pre-season tour. The first team will play games in Adelaide and Brisbane, making this their very first visit to these two world-famous cities.
The Reds kick-off in Queensland against Brisbane Roar at the Suncorp Stadium on Friday 17th July and will then line-up against Adelaide United at the Adelaide Oval on Monday 20th July.
Liverpool FC’s fixtures in Queensland and South Australia are just one element of a programme of activity that the Club is delivering in 2015 to bring Australian fans closer to the team they support.
Ian Ayre, Liverpool FC Chief Executive Officer, said: “We visited Australia for the first time two years ago and the support we received from our Australian fans was incredible. Liverpool FC has over 600,000 supporters in Australia and we look forward to meeting as many of them as possible while we are in the country.
“Pre-season is an important time for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season and the matches against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United are an exciting part of that preparation, giving our supporters a chance to see the team up close, no matter how far away from Anfield they live”, he added.
As well as a full LFC squad, the touring party will include coaching staff from the Liverpool FC Foundation to carry out work in the community throughout the visit as well as taking part in events with official supporters’ clubs.
Hospitality tickets go on sale today and can be purchased from http://ift.tt/1ApRRt0 where fans can also pre-register for general admission tickets.
Liverpool FC will be contacting local Official LFC Supporters’ Clubs, local LFC Official Members and those who attended the Reds’ game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2013 with details about a ticket pre-sale.
“High-profile events such as this play an important role in enhancing Queensland’s tourism profile and TEQ is proud to support Liverpool FC’s tour,” Ms Coddington said today.
“The match will be a highlight among a fantastic sporting line up of events for Brisbane in 2015 which will be promoted as part of It’s Live! in Queensland.
“Queensland is home to three-time A-League champions the Brisbane Roar who will have the opportunity to play against one of the world’s top clubs.”
South Australia’s Acting Tourism Minister Tom Koutsantonis said securing a Liverpool game at the world-famous Adelaide Oval is a huge coup for the state.
“A stadium packed with Reds fans from throughout Australia and the world will be a magnificent showcase for the Adelaide Oval and South Australia. Such world-class sporting events are huge drawcards, and we also anticipate a global TV audience for the game, so it is the perfect platform to showcase Adelaide to the rest of the world” he said.
For more information on ticketing and general tour details visit www.LFCTour.com.
.
Liverpool Football Club today announced that the Club will be returning to Australia in July as part of their 2015 pre-season tour. The first team will play games in Adelaide and Brisbane, making this their very first visit to these two world-famous cities.
The Reds kick-off in Queensland against Brisbane Roar at the Suncorp Stadium on Friday 17th July and will then line-up against Adelaide United at the Adelaide Oval on Monday 20th July.
Liverpool FC’s fixtures in Queensland and South Australia are just one element of a programme of activity that the Club is delivering in 2015 to bring Australian fans closer to the team they support.
Ian Ayre, Liverpool FC Chief Executive Officer, said: “We visited Australia for the first time two years ago and the support we received from our Australian fans was incredible. Liverpool FC has over 600,000 supporters in Australia and we look forward to meeting as many of them as possible while we are in the country.
“Pre-season is an important time for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season and the matches against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United are an exciting part of that preparation, giving our supporters a chance to see the team up close, no matter how far away from Anfield they live”, he added.
As well as a full LFC squad, the touring party will include coaching staff from the Liverpool FC Foundation to carry out work in the community throughout the visit as well as taking part in events with official supporters’ clubs.
Hospitality tickets go on sale today and can be purchased from http://ift.tt/1ApRRt0 where fans can also pre-register for general admission tickets.
Liverpool FC will be contacting local Official LFC Supporters’ Clubs, local LFC Official Members and those who attended the Reds’ game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2013 with details about a ticket pre-sale.
“High-profile events such as this play an important role in enhancing Queensland’s tourism profile and TEQ is proud to support Liverpool FC’s tour,” Ms Coddington said today.
“The match will be a highlight among a fantastic sporting line up of events for Brisbane in 2015 which will be promoted as part of It’s Live! in Queensland.
“Queensland is home to three-time A-League champions the Brisbane Roar who will have the opportunity to play against one of the world’s top clubs.”
South Australia’s Acting Tourism Minister Tom Koutsantonis said securing a Liverpool game at the world-famous Adelaide Oval is a huge coup for the state.
“A stadium packed with Reds fans from throughout Australia and the world will be a magnificent showcase for the Adelaide Oval and South Australia. Such world-class sporting events are huge drawcards, and we also anticipate a global TV audience for the game, so it is the perfect platform to showcase Adelaide to the rest of the world” he said.
For more information on ticketing and general tour details visit www.LFCTour.com.
.
We spoke to ex-Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer as part of Ladbrokes’ transfer deadline day party.
It may have been a remarkably quiet deadline day for Liverpool, but there was still much to talk about as we sat down with former Liverpool man Jason McAteer at the Ladbrokes #ForTheFans Transfer Deadline Day party.
Jack Lusby asked McAteer about potential summer signing Danny Ings the futures of Rickie Lambert, Simon Mignolet and Dejan Lovren at the club, Liverpool’s young loanees and life as a Liverpool wing-back.
On LFC’s interest in Danny Ings…
“Danny’s a good player, he’s a great striker. [But] no disrespect to Danny, I think he’s doing a fantastic job at Burnley but when you sign for a club like Liverpool…the amount of pressure that comes with it, it doesn’t give you the guarantee of goals.
I’d like to see a more finished article come to the club—a player who’s international quality, a player that’s been around, who knows the pressure of playing for a big club.
As potential goes I think, for Liverpool, Danny Ings would be a great buy but it’s not the player I’d look at where I’d want to throw him straight in.”
On Rickie Lambert…
“I find [speculation linking Lambert with Aston Villa on deadline day] strange really. Rickie was always brought in to play second fiddle to players [like] Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling.
Rickie was always ‘plan B’, a player who was never going to play week in, week out, he was a player who was always going to play in cup games or come on for Liverpool when they were under the cosh, maybe when Brendan wants to change his tactics—go more direct—I think he was always going to be the option.
So why has that all of a sudden changed?”
On Liverpool’s young players leaving on loan…
“I think you’re looking at young players coming through you’ve got Jordon Rossiter knocking on the door and Jordon Ibe now who’s come back, but I think Jordon shows you what can happen when you go out on loan.
He was fantastic at Derby; you learn a lot when you go out on loan in the Championship. It’s more physical, there are games Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, you learn a lot when you’re away from the club and I think it makes you hungrier as well.
Hopefully [after his loan] Ibe will have that Sterling progression: get into the team, get a few more games under his belt and hopefully he’ll stay in there.”
On Simon Mignolet’s improvement in form and his future at the club…
“I certainly think Liverpool will stay in the market for a ‘keeper, but [Mignolet’s] performances have risen since he was taken out the team.
We saw it with Joe Hart last season when he was taken out of the team and all of a sudden I think it was a kick up the backside for Joe and he realised that he’s not a player who’s first one the teamsheet, he can be dropped—he came back a different player and with a different attitude.
I think the same thing has happened with Simon Mignolet. I think some of the criticism was unfair for Simon, I think the whole back four at the time certainly weren’t helping him—they were leaking goals and he was left exposed too many times—and I think he’d become a bit of a target really.
His confidence was knocked by what was happening, but he seems to have come back and I think the back three’s certainly helped him…and when you’re winning games you always look a better player don’t you?”
On Dejan Lovren’s Liverpool future…
“I think it’s healthy to have competition for places. He’s a quality player, he knows what he’s doing. He was introduced into a Liverpool team that was struggling and he found it difficult to adapt and a little difficult to cope.
I think Steven Gerrard, when he ended up playing holding midfield and there was no pace and the pitch wasn’t getting stretched ahead of him, everything was condensed and I think that meant that Steven was dropping a lot deeper.
In the end he was dropping in behind the back two, behind Lovren sometimes and even alongside him to pick up the ball, and I think Lovren wasn’t too happy with that.
Then there was a formation change, then Lovren found himself out of the team, and to be fair to the lads that have come in have actually held onto their position.
Sakho’s been outstanding since he came in and he’s grown in confidence, Skrtel—I think he was ever-present anyway—he’s given his 100% as well, and I think Emre Can coming in was a plus-point.”
On Liverpool’s wing-backs…
“I’m a big fan of the wing-backs, I think it’s an important position. You have to know how to play it (Note: McAteer often played right wing-back for Liverpool), I think you need players behind you as well who can help you.
Obviously I had Mark Wright behind me and John Scales, who are very good centre-halves. I enjoyed that position because you can get forward [and] you don’t have to defend all the time, because you’ve got the player behind you—the security blanket.
It’s a position I like and it’s one I like to see back at Liverpool.”
Jason was speaking to This is Anfield as part of Ladbrokes’ #ForTheFans Transfer Deadline Day party, see the full video below:
.
We spoke to ex-Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer as part of Ladbrokes’ transfer deadline day party.
It may have been a remarkably quiet deadline day for Liverpool, but there was still much to talk about as we sat down with former Liverpool man Jason McAteer at the Ladbrokes #ForTheFans Transfer Deadline Day party.
Jack Lusby asked McAteer about potential summer signing Danny Ings the futures of Rickie Lambert, Simon Mignolet and Dejan Lovren at the club, Liverpool’s young loanees and life as a Liverpool wing-back.
On LFC’s interest in Danny Ings…
“Danny’s a good player, he’s a great striker. [But] no disrespect to Danny, I think he’s doing a fantastic job at Burnley but when you sign for a club like Liverpool…the amount of pressure that comes with it, it doesn’t give you the guarantee of goals.
I’d like to see a more finished article come to the club—a player who’s international quality, a player that’s been around, who knows the pressure of playing for a big club.
As potential goes I think, for Liverpool, Danny Ings would be a great buy but it’s not the player I’d look at where I’d want to throw him straight in.”
On Rickie Lambert…
“I find [speculation linking Lambert with Aston Villa on deadline day] strange really. Rickie was always brought in to play second fiddle to players [like] Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling.
Rickie was always ‘plan B’, a player who was never going to play week in, week out, he was a player who was always going to play in cup games or come on for Liverpool when they were under the cosh, maybe when Brendan wants to change his tactics—go more direct—I think he was always going to be the option.
So why has that all of a sudden changed?”
On Liverpool’s young players leaving on loan…
“I think you’re looking at young players coming through you’ve got Jordon Rossiter knocking on the door and Jordon Ibe now who’s come back, but I think Jordon shows you what can happen when you go out on loan.
He was fantastic at Derby; you learn a lot when you go out on loan in the Championship. It’s more physical, there are games Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, you learn a lot when you’re away from the club and I think it makes you hungrier as well.
Hopefully [after his loan] Ibe will have that Sterling progression: get into the team, get a few more games under his belt and hopefully he’ll stay in there.”
On Simon Mignolet’s improvement in form and his future at the club…
“I certainly think Liverpool will stay in the market for a ‘keeper, but [Mignolet’s] performances have risen since he was taken out the team.
We saw it with Joe Hart last season when he was taken out of the team and all of a sudden I think it was a kick up the backside for Joe and he realised that he’s not a player who’s first one the teamsheet, he can be dropped—he came back a different player and with a different attitude.
I think the same thing has happened with Simon Mignolet. I think some of the criticism was unfair for Simon, I think the whole back four at the time certainly weren’t helping him—they were leaking goals and he was left exposed too many times—and I think he’d become a bit of a target really.
His confidence was knocked by what was happening, but he seems to have come back and I think the back three’s certainly helped him…and when you’re winning games you always look a better player don’t you?”
On Dejan Lovren’s Liverpool future…
“I think it’s healthy to have competition for places. He’s a quality player, he knows what he’s doing. He was introduced into a Liverpool team that was struggling and he found it difficult to adapt and a little difficult to cope.
I think Steven Gerrard, when he ended up playing holding midfield and there was no pace and the pitch wasn’t getting stretched ahead of him, everything was condensed and I think that meant that Steven was dropping a lot deeper.
In the end he was dropping in behind the back two, behind Lovren sometimes and even alongside him to pick up the ball, and I think Lovren wasn’t too happy with that.
Then there was a formation change, then Lovren found himself out of the team, and to be fair to the lads that have come in have actually held onto their position.
Sakho’s been outstanding since he came in and he’s grown in confidence, Skrtel—I think he was ever-present anyway—he’s given his 100% as well, and I think Emre Can coming in was a plus-point.”
On Liverpool’s wing-backs…
“I’m a big fan of the wing-backs, I think it’s an important position. You have to know how to play it (Note: McAteer often played right wing-back for Liverpool), I think you need players behind you as well who can help you.
Obviously I had Mark Wright behind me and John Scales, who are very good centre-halves. I enjoyed that position because you can get forward [and] you don’t have to defend all the time, because you’ve got the player behind you—the security blanket.
It’s a position I like and it’s one I like to see back at Liverpool.”
Jason was speaking to This is Anfield as part of Ladbrokes’ #ForTheFans Transfer Deadline Day party, see the full video below:
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