'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool fans should be very worried, with Philippe Coutinho’s rise to stardom this season. The Brazilian has been unstoppable for club and country and after his latest display against Argentina, you would think it’s only a matter of time before Barcelona might be too attractive a proposition to turn down.
Neymar and Luis Suarez have apparently been talking up the midfield maestro and are trying to lure him to the Catalan club. The move actually makes sense as well considering how good he is and how desperately both Barcelona and Real Madrid want him.
So here are 5 reasons why Coutinho would be perfect for Barcelona:
5) Contention for Individual awards
Although Liverpool are flying at the moment in the Premier League it is still very unsure if they will win the league this season. The Reds have been transformed under Jurgen Klopp and are playing some of the best football on the planet.
But there always been this uncertainty about the Reds and whether they will finally win the Premier League. This season despite the brilliant start they have had Liverpool have failed to keep a single clean sheet.
The lack of Champions League football also means he will be unable to win more trophies with Liverpool. Barcelona are the favorites for almost every competition they participate in. The Reds might be on the up but playing with Barcelona guarantees a shot at the Champions League.
The most important benefit for Coutinho would be the chance to compete for individual honors. Having the likes of Messi and Suarez in your team usually brings out the best in you. Having already played with Suarez at Liverpool Coutinho’s link up play will be almost instantaneous with his fellow teammates.
4) Style of Play
Barcelona have come to be known for their beautiful football and the fast-paced attacking game that troubles almost every defense they come up against. The addition of Luis Suarez has seen their attacking threat reach new heights.
The philosophy behind Barcelona’s play is based on quick passing and intelligent movement and the chemistry of the front three. The addition of Coutinho would get the best out of the MSN and help them break even more records.
Coutinho is the type of player who can thread passes through the eye of a needle without much effort. This incredible vision he possesses is what Barcelona need. Neymar Messi and Suarez are responsible for 90% of the goals scored and adding Coutinho would increase their productivity.
Coutinho’s individual brilliance is also something that Barcelona will thrive on. We have already seen how well Neymar and Coutinho link up for Brazil so making the transition to Barcelona will be that much easier.
3) He has played in La Liga before
Not many are aware of this but Phillipe Coutinho has already had a taste of football in Spain. While at Inter, they loaned him out the then youngster to Espanyol. It was in 2012 after his spell with Vasco Da Gama that he was sent to Spain for more experience
The youngster impressed as well scoring 5 times in just 16 appearances. It was there his talent was there for all to be seen. Espanyol are also Barcelona’s arch rivals being from the same region Catalonia.
So Coutinho’s move to Barcelona would be the perfect way to return to the place where he once plied his trade. The Brazilian already knows the lay of the land and he would probably not take much time to settle down.
The fleet-footed Brazilian would love to play in Spain and would enjoy scoring against Espanyol for Barcelona which will endear him to the fans even more. The Premier League is a much more physical league when compared to La Liga and for a player of Coutinho’s physique Spanish football might allow him more freedom to express his flair.
2) Brazilian influence
It is a well-known fact that Neymar and Coutinho are the best of buds. The two also compliment each other excellently on the pitch. Brazil are a different animal when both Neymar and Coutinho are on song and Argentina found that out the hard way last time.
Messi and his teammates looked perplexed as Neymar and co mesmerized them into submission. The World Cup finalists were humbled 3-0 with both the Barcelona man and Coutinho getting on the scoresheet.
Messi was left fuming with his teammates after their poor showing but Brazil marched on and are now in a strong position in the qualification group. Neymar was in awe of his teammate and was full of praise for Coutinho:
"Playing with Coutinho is always a joy. We are partners for years and every day I think we're made to play with each other.” he told Sport
Barcelona have a history of grooming great Brazilian players, from Rivaldo to Ronaldinho and now Neymar. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Coutinho turns out be successful if and when he joins Barcelona.
1) Iniesta’s rightful heir
Lionel Messi might be the star of the show but Andres Iniesta's importance to the team can never be underestimated. The Spaniard is the primary string puller for the squad and Barcelona tend to suffer sometimes when he is not playing.
There are not many like the graceful Spaniard in the world and Messi most of all people have benefitted from his intelligence. His passing movement skill and balance on the ball is unparalleled and Barcelona will miss him when the time comes.
That might not be too far away considering he is already 32 with his age starting to show in his legs as well as his fitness. Once Iniesta decides to call it quits it would leave a massive hole in the team.
But Coutinho is Iniesta’s rightful heir and bears several similarities in the style of play. Granted the two are not like for like but he will essentially give Barcelona the creative spark that Iniesta has become so famous for.
It would be the perfect change of guard to see Coutinho take over the mantle from the Spaniard. Iniesta is no doubt irreplaceable but Coutinho is probably the closest anyone will come to matching his ability
