Forget Coutinho – Here Are 3 Quality Replacements Liverpool Should Look To Sign If He Leaves

Three Replacements For Coutinho Who Liverpool Can Look To Sign

After a really chastening Sunday afternoon for Liverpool at Wembley, more bad news could be set to follow their 4-1 mauling at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.

Following the summer-long saga surrounding the future of attacker Philippe Coutinho, recent reports have surfaced claiming Barcelona are ready to test Liverpool’s resolve in the January window.

Barcelona tried to sign the Liverpool playmaker in the summer and saw multiple bids get rejected. Coutinho, 25, submitted a transfer request to force a move. But Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp maintained his stance of not selling the Brazilian and Liverpool kept rejecting Barca’s bids throughout the summer.

With Liverpool currently struggling in the Premier League, sitting 9th in the table with 13 points and reports of Barcelona preparing bids to try and sign Coutinho again, here are three players Klopp can look to sign if the Brazilian leaves Anfield.

Julian Draxler

The German playmaker is one of the hottest properties in world football and has the elusive quality to walk into any top European side. Draxler could be a strong candidate to replace Coutinho if he leaves.

Draxler, struggling for game time at Paris Saint-Germain following the high-profile arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the summer, is keen to move elsewhere to resurrect his stuttering career.

With only 11 appearances this season, out of which 5 have come from bench, it is very clear that the German will largely play the role of a back-up this season rather than being a key member of the side.

Draxler, who only joined PSG last January, boasts of terrific passing and goal scoring ability. However, PSG wouldn’t be reluctant to offload him next summer. An excellent player, Draxler should be a good fit at Liverpool.

Lorenzo Insigne

Ideally, Lorenzo Insigne would perhaps be the best replacement for Coutinho that Liverpool can get if the Brazilian leaves. With an eye for goal, the Italian is lightening fast, agile, creative and can operate as a winger and also as an attacking midfielder.

Insigne enjoyed a stellar 2016-17 season in Italy, guiding Napoli to second place in Serie A. Currently, the 26-year-old is having an exceptional season with Napoli as they have surged to top of the Italian league after 9 games.

In Klopp’s system, the diminutive attacker will be a super signing. With solid experience and with him being at the peak of his career, Klopp should go for Insigne next summer.

Mario Gotze

Mario Gotze has been on Liverpool’s radar for quite some time now. It’s not a hidden fact that Gotze and Klopp have respect for each other since their Dortmund days. Klopp is a fan of what Gotze can do on the pitch, which could see Liverpool revive their interest in the summer.

Gotze, who returned to Dortmund last year from Bayern, has won several major trophies throughout his career in Germany. An exceptional burst of pace, an incredible versatility which makes him capable of playing anywhere in attack and a gifted composure – Gotze has everything to become a world-class attacker.

The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent times but when he is fully fit, it is a treat to watch him. While the Reds should do all they can to keep Coutinho, if he does leave, Gotze is one player who Liverpool can target, and who else better than Klopp to convince the player?