Philippe Coutinho: It’s time the former Liverpool playmaker started proving his worth at Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho: It’s time the former Liverpool playmaker started proving his worth at Barcelona
On the one-year anniversary of signing for Barcelona for a mega 142m, Philippe Coutinho kicked off his evening by sitting on the bench and watching a starting place pass him by – for the fourth league game in a row.A natural point of reflection thanks to the date, you have to wonder what the Brazilian was thinking when he got the team news for the La Liga trip to Getafe.Perhaps his mind also wandered back to England, where Liverpool are mounting their most serious challenge for the Premier League title in years – lying four points clear of closest rivals Manchester City.5

The Brazilian made the switch from Anfield to the Camp Nou a year ago, but has struggled to make a big impact

Many expected the departures of the likes of Luis Suarez and Coutinho to send the Reds spiralling backwards – but the polar opposite has occured.It has been an odd 12 months for the attacker, defying the trajectory that seemed the most logical.Coutinho has gone from exceeding expectations in his first six months in Catalonia where it would have been natural for him to struggle to adapt to the rhythm of a new club and competition, mid-season to gradually losing importance in the squad dynamic, and not finding his form in his second term.On Sunday, El Mundo labelled it Coutinhos endless fall (Spaniards do have something of a penchant for the dramatic).5

Many expected the departures of Luis Suarez and then Coutinho to Barcelona to send Liverpool backwards

In a more balanced look in AS, Santi Gimnez pondered over how the Coutinho effect had now dried up, pointing to the eight goals and five assists the No 7 produced across 18 league games in his first half a season.If he could produce that after coming half-way through the season, it wasnt crazy to expect a step forward this season, and for the player to cement himself as a star, he observed.Rather than him being particularly bad this season, Coutinhos problem is perhaps more that in his first five months with Barca he was abnormally good, thus exceeding expectations5

However, the Reds have emerged as serious title challengers without the pair

It is difficult to recall a game this term where he has been notably poor.There hasnt been any disappearing and lack of showing for the ball, or confusion with the system that normally marks a player out as clearly not Barcelona material.The most obvious, concrete issue is that his impact in front of goal the attribute he stood out for above any other after signing last year has dried up dramatically.Since scoring and producing in a generally excellent all-round performance as Barca thrashed arch rivals Real Madrid 5-1 in October, the 26-year-old has failed to find the net again.Its a shift thats particularly striking; considering he had scored five times in just over two months up to that point.

---

MORE: COUTINHO AND SUAREZ STAR AS BARCELONA THRASH REAL MADRID AT NOU CAMP

---

5

Coutinho’s sudden dip in form came following his exceptional performance in the El Clasico in October

The biggest beneficiary of his sudden lack of cutting edge has been Ousmane Dembl, who, whether he turns up for training or not, just cant stop scoring big goals at key moments.With coach Erneste Valverde treating Coutinho as more of a forward than a midfielder, there isnt room for the two players in a 4-3-3 system, and Dembl is now the clear first choice. On merit.Ironically, Coutinho can probably thank Dembls off-pitch issues for ensuring that his own struggles have not been more of a story until now. With the headlines and sporting pages at the tail end of 2018 adequately filled with the Frenchmans baffling tardiness, the 142m signing hitting a dry patch didnt really even register until the anniversary of his arrival drew close on the horizon.Its a story now, though, and the fact Valverde didnt think Coutinho would be worth a start against notoriously disciplined Getafe, where his shooting from distance could have been an obvious tool to exploit, seems significant.

PHILLIPPE COUTINHO'S BARCELONA RECORD

La Liga2018-19: 4 goals and 1 assist in 15 appearances2017-18: 8 goals and 5 assists in 18 appearancesChampions League2018-19:1 goals in 6 matches5

The Frenchman 21, joined in August 2017 and has been directly involved in 15 goals in 23 appearances this season

Significant too is that Barca got the job done without him.The Catalans were 2-1 up by the time the former Liverpool man finally entered the field of play with less than 10 minutes remaining.Coutinho was supposed to be much more than an extremely expensive substitute who merely sees out games.Not since his last move to the city of Barcelona, when Inter shipped him out on loan to Espanyol as a youngster, has the Brazilian been asked to prove his worth to the extent he is being asked now.The good news for him is that with the Copa del Rey and Champions League resuming shortly, he will have the opportunities.In the ruthless world of Barcelona you have to take them quickly though – before things move on without you.

---

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford reveals he's always looked up to Man City's Raheem Sterling Manchester Evening News 15:23 29-May-19 What Matthijs de Ligt said about Marcus Rashford resurfaces amid Manchester United speculation Manchester Evening News 14:12 29-May-19
Transfer Talk: Barcelona make Man United's Rashford top target

---

HAPPY DAYS? The Reds have been at it every day of the week over the festive period When you're one of England's elite clubs you're used to playing at all times across the week but Liverpool gone further than most this festive period.
Wuhan University | collegeWiki

---

Title-chasing Arsenal have three players in the 2019 PFA Women's Super League Team of the Year, including prolific Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema. The division's highest scorer, who has struck 21 times and provided nine assists in 18 appearances to edge the Gunners to the brink of their early title since 2012, is joined in the XI by
Vivianne Miedema among three Arsenal players in PFA Women's
fussboll.com/2019/04/27/vivianne-miedema-among-three-arsenal-players-in-pfa-womens-super-league-team-of-the-year/
Title-chasing Arsenal have three players in the 2019 PFA Women's Super League Team of the Year, including prolific Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema.
Vivianne Miedema among three Arsenal players in PFA Women's
gistjunction.com/2019/04/26/vivianne-miedema-among-three-arsenal-players-in-pfa-womens-super-league-team-of-the-year/
Title-chasing Arsenal have three players in the 2019 PFA Women's Super League Team of the Year, including prolific Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema. The division's top scorer, who has struck 21 times and provided nine assists in 18 appearances to lead the Gunners to the brink of their first title since 2012, is joined in the XI by
Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema named in PFA Women's Super

---

Home Leagues Man City pre-season fixtures: Friendly against West Ham plus other ties - dates, dates, times and venues.
Man City pre-season fixtures: Friendly against West Ham plus
sportworld360.com/man-city-pre-season-fixtures-friendly-against-west-ham-plus-other-ties-dates-times-and-venues/
Man City pre-season fixtures: Friendly against West Ham plus other ties - dates, times and venues Friendly against Barcelona - dates, times and venues
Man City pre-season fixtures: Friendly against West Ham plus

---

Die-hard Arsenal fan Sir AP McCoy believes there is nothing remotely threatening about the current Gunners squad. Unai Emery's side slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday as their top-four bid was dealt a major blow.
Man stabbed to death in fight in early hours of morning in

---

Chelsea 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0 LIVE on talkSPORT: Free live stream and full commentary as Blues take control All the information you need to catch the FA Cup fourth round tie
Chelsea 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0 LIVE on talkSPORT: Free live

---

Mesut Ozil had some superb moments in Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday. But is he now too good for the rest of the team, unsupported and hung to dry? After watching the 3-2
NewsNow: Mesut Ozil news | Breaking News & Search 24/7

---

Lord Sugar uses Tottenham Hotspur reaching the Champions League final to reignite his spat with Arsenal fan Piers Morgan. Follow us on Twitter:

---

West Ham vs Burnley TV channel and live stream information. Due to the UK 3pm black out rules, Newcastle United vs West Ham is not on TV. Follow all the live updates from St. James' Park here. Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android.

---

Leicester City heroes pay tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in special programme. Claudio Ranieri and Esteban Cambiasso among the club icons to write messages in 100-page programme

---

Eden Hazard Eden Hazard to Real Madrid: Kevin De Bruyne drops hint over player's imminent Chelsea exit The Belgian international is on the verge of joining the Spanish giants Summer Transfer Window Transfer news live: Man United expect second signing; Liverpool move for £70m star Summer transfer news: Nicolas Pepe, Granit Xhaka and Daniel
Eden Hazard transfer: 'I have made my decision' - Chelsea

---

Alexis Sanchez misses Manchester United training along with five other first-team players ahead of Juventus clash Chile winger is a doubt for the Champions League crunch which will see Cristiano
Alexis Sanchez returns to Manchester United training after

---

Liverpool news: Former Everton hero Tim Howard gives brutally honest answer on rivals' title charge The goalkeeper spent a decade at Goodison Park and also played for Manchester United By talkSPORT
Former Everton hero Tim Howard gives brutally honest answer

---

Sean Dyche would do a "better" job at Manchester United than current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to former Chelsea player Jason Cundy. Dyche has been in charge at Burnley since 2012
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does NOT think Manchester United can win

---

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa should be FINED for spying on Derby, says Ray Parlour - 'It's totally wrong' The Argentine admitted sending a staff member to watch the Rams' training
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa should be FINED for spying

---

uefa champions league final live streaming youtube
afghanistan cricket premier league live streaming
champions league live streaming facebook
champions league live stream vipbox
man utd vs psg champions league live streaming
live streaming champions league napoli vs liverpool
tamil nadu premier league live streaming hotstar
champions league live streaming sky sports
ipl indian premier league live streaming
singapore premier league live streaming
liverpool vs manchester city champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming roma vs liverpool
psg champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming free
how to watch premier league live streaming
best live streaming premier league
live streaming of champions league final 2018
champions league live streaming germany
liverpool psg champions league live streaming
champions league final live streaming totalsportek
champions league final live streaming hd
free premier league live streaming
champions league live stream south africa
champions league live streaming sportek
premier league live video streaming free
live premier league streaming man utd
ghana premier league live streaming
spanish premier league live streaming
paok aek champions league live streaming
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
premier league darts live stream youtube
russian premier league live streaming
champions league draw live streaming free
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
premier league live streaming nbc
champions league final live streaming online
t10 premier league live streaming
uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
champions league free live streaming ipad
mumbai premier league 2019 live streaming
darts premier league live streaming
psl premier league live streaming
google champions league live stream
ofc champions league live streaming
aek paok champions league live streaming
champions league live stream kostenlos heute
live premier league games streaming
premier league live streaming.net
premier league live streaming youtube
napoli liverpool champions league live streaming
premier league live streaming subscription
live streaming champions league tottenham
roma vs barcelona champions league live streaming
premier league live streaming sites
premier league of darts live streaming
champions league live streaming russia
champions league live streaming twitter
live uefa champions league live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming free online liverpool
champions league live streaming usa
premier league live stream quora
hockey champions league live streaming
champions league round of 16 draw live streaming
champions league final youtube live streaming
maharashtra premier league live streaming
champions league streaming live gratis
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
azam rwanda premier league live streaming
champions league live streaming in usa
english premier league live streaming in pakistan
ireland premier league live streaming
premier league live streaming newcastle
espn champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming cr7
concacaf champions league live streaming free
tamil nadu premier league 2018 live match streaming
champions league draw live stream uefa
philippine collegiate champions league live streaming
best free live streaming sites champions league
champions league live streaming tottenham
mumbai premier league live streaming channels
champions league today's match live streaming
scottish premier league live streaming free
watch premier league live streaming online free
karnataka premier league live streaming channels
sri lanka premier league live streaming
champions league watch live canada
champions league live stream juventus vs atletico madrid
uefa champions league live streaming cr7
best live premier league football streaming
mumbai t20 premier league live streaming
champions league live stream england
uae premier league live streaming
star sports premier league live streaming
live streaming premier league rcti
champions league live streaming free justin tv
champions league live streaming tottenham vs ajax
champions league live streaming ten sports reddit
uefa champions league live streaming youtube uk
live streaming champions league hari ini
gibraltar premier league live stream
bangladesh premier league live streaming hotstar
live streaming premier league hari ini
live streaming champions league indonesia
champions league 2018 streaming live gratuit
uefa champions league quarter final live streaming
live streaming video handball ihf men's handball champions league
handball champions league live streaming
champions league final live streaming youtube
est vs ess streaming live football caf champions league
free live streaming liverpool vs psg champions league
barclays premier league live streaming online free no sign up
afghanistan premier league 2018 live streaming in india
real madrid champions league live streaming
nbc premier league live streaming
south africa premier league live streaming
champions league greek live streaming
pakistan premier league live streaming in india
champions league final live streaming video
champions league final live streaming english
caf champions league live streaming
sony liv champions league live streaming
kolkata premier league live streaming
afghanistan premier league live streaming
kenya premier league live streaming
champions league final live stream usa
watch english premier league live streaming
real madrid vs liverpool final champions league live streaming
apl afghanistan premier league live streaming
live streaming arsenal vs psg champions league
champions league live stream vip
nonton premier league live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming ten sports
english premier league live streaming manchester united
champions league live streaming india free
live streaming champions league group stage draw
karnataka premier league live streaming
champions league live stream juventus vs manchester united
barcelona psv champions league live streaming
premier league live streaming low quality
live cricket streaming tamil nadu premier league
kuwait premier league live streaming
champions league live stream univision
champions league live stream vlc
champions league live streaming espn
indo international premier kabaddi league live streaming
premier league live stream manchester united vs southampton
uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
ten sports champions league live streaming
#ChampionsLeague #soccer #hakimziyech #Casillas #beinsports #Cr7 #sanchez #univisiondeportes #Ronaldo #ronaldo #realmadrid #united #deporte #espndeportes #nike #manutd #likes4likes #skysports #Football #Messi #premierleague #manchestercity #foxdeportes #goals #UCL #ajaxamsterdam #CristianoRonaldo #laliga #courtois #salah #durhamregion #realmadrid #futbolmexicano #footy #pickering #Rooney #football #futbol #BayernMunchen #england #tottenham #sports #ucl #likeforlikes #Ajax #transfers #barcelona #Like4Like #bundesliga #Instagood #telemundodeportes #navas #likeforlike #beinsportsusa #Barcelona #mufc #fcbarcelona #zinedinezidane #toronto #Cristiano #Soccer #halamadrid #433 #Futbol #fifa