5 replacements for Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool

The future of Philippe Coutinho has been subject to intense speculation in the last few weeks with Barcelona reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian playmaker. While Klopp is adamant about Coutinho staying at Merseyside for the foreseeable future, stranger things have happened in football and it will not come as a shock to anyone if the little magician does indeed end up moving to Barcelona in this transfer window.

Replacing Coutinho will be extremely tough for Liverpool. The 25-year-old's passing, dribbling and vision are hard to replicate and it will be no easy task for Klopp should the Brazilian leave the Premier League this season. However, these 5 players could soften the blow and perform a similar job to that of Liverpool's 'number 10'.

Let us take a look at 5 possible replacements for Coutinho at Liverpool:

#5 Emil Forsberg

Liverpool have been chasing RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita throughout this transfer window, but an ideal replacement for Coutinho would be his teammate Emil Forsberg.

Voted Swedish midfielder of the year in 2014 and 2016, RB Leipzig winger, Emil Forsberg has taken the Bundesliga by storm with his stunning and technically accomplished performances. The versatile winger is blessed with plenty of trickery, dribbling skills and excellent vision to pick out passes. Also, one of the best set-piece takers in world football at the moment, Forsberg has been linked with plenty of top clubs across Europe

With 8 goals and 19 assists in 30 Bundesliga appearances, Forsberg along with teammates Naby Keita and Timo Werner are the undoubted superstars of this impressive German side. A player very similar in style to Coutinho, Forsberg could thrive under Klopp in the Premier League.

#4 Riyad Mahrez

PFA player of the year in the 2015/16 season, Mahrez looks set to depart Leicester City this transfer window. The tricky Algerian winger has been linked with Arsenal, Roma and even Tottenham in the recent days, but Liverpool could swoop in as well if they do indeed lose Coutinho in this transfer window.

Although Mahrez did not have the best of seasons in 2016/17, there is no denying the quality and class he possesses and he could be a much cheaper alternative as well compared to the other names on this list.

Still only 26, Mahrez's magical left foot is capable of destroying opposing defences while his dribbling ability is comparable to that of Coutinho's. Young, energetic and simply brilliant when in the mood, Liverpool and Klopp could well be tempted to look at the Leicester City man as a potential replacement for their 'number 10'.

#3 Christian Pulisic

Still only 18 and already one of Borussia Dortmund's star performers, Christian Pulisic is definitely one of the game's brightest talents at the moment. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or as a winger (just like Coutinho), Pulisic's great performances last season have seen him being linked with a big money move to the Premier League.

Recent reports have also talked up Liverpool eyeing Pulisic as a replacement for Coutinho and it is easy to see why Klopp rates this youngster so highly. Capable of dribbling and blessed with great technical ability, Pulisic's stock is only set to rise in the coming days and Borussia Dortmund will be desperate to hold on to their prodigy.

In addition to all this, Pulisic is also extremely good on his weaker foot (left) and it would be interesting to see how the Dortmund youngster will fare under Klopp in the Premier League if this move does indeed happen in the future.

#2 Mario Gotze

"Show the world you are better than Messi and can decide the World Cup." - Low to Gotze in 2014 World Cup final

Since that fateful night in the Maracana where Gotze scored the World Cup winning goal for Germany, the Borussia Dortmund playmaker's career has unfortunately suffered a downward spiral. Suffering from a metabolic disorder which almost ended his career last season, Gotze has made a return to the football pitch and will be hoping to show the world the full extent of his capabilities this season.

Still only 25, Gotze has the time and talent to become a world class superstar and Jurgen Klopp will know better than most how good Gotze can be when he is fit and in form. Liverpool have been linked with Gotze earlier and if Coutinho does indeed end up leaving, the Borussia Dortmund playmaker could well be reunited with his former boss at Anfield.

The first few seconds of the video show the World Cup winning goal by Gotze. You might want to watch that!

#1 Isco

There can be no better replacement for Philippe Coutinho in the world than Real Madrid star Isco. Almost exactly similar in style of play and technical ability, Isco will certainly be able to fill the potential gaping hole from Coutinho's departure. The former Malaga man is yet to agree on a contract extension (contrary to popular belief) with Real Madrid and Jurgen Klopp and plenty of other managers will be keeping a keen eye on the talented Spaniard's situation.

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders even suggested that the Reds could target Isco in this transfer window.

“For me, you could sign Isco for £30m. He's not going to get a game for Real Madrid,” Saunders told talkSPORT.

While £30m fee looks absolutely ridiculous on paper for a player of Isco's repute, Liverpool armed with the potential Coutinho money could just end up making a huge bid for the Real Madrid playmaker.

Isco to Liverpool is highly improbable, but in an ideal world, the Spaniard would be the perfect player to replace Coutinho in this Liverpool team.