With three back to back man of the match awards for Liverpool’s little magician Phillipe Coutinho, he is now showing some sizzling form early this season. With 5 goals and 5 assists in Premier League for the Reds, the 24-year-old is now growing on to become one of the best talents in Europe and there is an impending fear among the Liverpool supporters that the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid might lure him away from the club. In fact, Barcelona registered their interest in the star recently and were told about the €75m asking price by the Reds. If the Brazilian continues his form in front of goal, it will not be long before one of the big guns are ready to meet the asking price so it is important for Klopp and Liverpool to have a replacement in mind already. Let’s take a look at one such replacement who is making some noise in the Bundesliga.
Borussia Dortmund’s teenage sensation Christian Pulisic was a transfer targets for the Reds as Klopp was ready to raid his former team for a player for the future. But with Coutinho’s exit could on the cards, the 18-year old might come as a replacement. Holding the record as the youngest non-German to score a Bundesliga goal, Pulisic is one of the most attractive youngsters around in Europe.
With a smart head on his shoulders, Pulisic is an exciting player who believes in his ability in the game. Known for his dribbling ability and also his pace, the 18-year old is a genuine attacking player who can play in any of the three positions behind a striker. He has a peculiar eye for a defense splitting pass that allows him to find his teammates with ease and is a player who loves to create things with the ball at his feet. His quick movements off the ball allow him to take up dangerous areas in the final third, making his side more potent in attack. All this at 18-years of age makes him one of the best youngsters in the football world. However, unlike Liverpool’s Brazilian, he likes to operate close to the flank, providing more width to the side.
Philippe Coutinho was a player who always had potential but in the last 4 years, he has shown improvement of the highest order. He has been Liverpool’s most effective player in the last two seasons and is their most competent player in attack this season. Though the team is not completely built around him, Coutinho as a player is starting to thrive in the system under Jurgen Klopp. He is an intelligent player with great skill and has always shown his potential in his performances. But this season, he has added some consistency to his game making him one of the best players in the world.
This will make him close to irreplaceable in the current Liverpool squad but if it is inevitable, Liverpool need not have to look too far away for his potential replacement. Pulisic, at his age, will only get better and Klopp, the man manager that he is, will surely allow him to get into his best as much time as it takes. Though Coutinho’s exit is not impending, it is sure a matter of concern for the club and its fans but if Liverpool succeed in getting their hands on the 18-year old, they can at least feel safe when some of the biggest clubs come for their priced asset.
Do you think Christian Pulisic can be a replacement of Philippe Coutinho?