Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool need to sign a Coutinho replacement in January.
The pundit and former Liverpool centre-back was speaking following the 0-0 draw with Manchester City at Anfield yesterday.
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In our past four games in all competitions, we’ve lacked central creativity, especially when James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum have been deployed as a trio.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita both have ability with the ball and vision, but the former is probably suited to the front-three while the latter is still finding his feet.
“If Liverpool are in a really good position in January, I think they’ve got to be looking to address that [midfield area],” Carragher told Sky Sports post-match.
“It’s not even necessarily having someone who comes in and plays every single game. They just haven’t even got anyone like that in the squad. Adam Lallana is too injury prone.
“Even if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes back, [Naby] Keita goes in or Fabinho goes in they are all the same. Liverpool don’t play with a No 10, but there’s no David Silva or Bernardo Silva or a player like that in the squad.
“I’m not talking about that player playing every week. It’s just the fact of having someone like that in the squad to turn to when you feel you need that player.”
In the summer, we were very close to signing Nabil Fekir, who would have provided us exactly what Carra is referring to.
The Frenchman agreed personal terms, but the club pulled out due to an underlying issue with Fekir’s knee that came up in the medical.
As a result, we’d be surprised if we went back in for him.
We have been scouting Lucas Paqueta, a Brazilian who plays for Flamengo, so perhaps he’ll be the alternative option.
The 21-year-old’s agent was recently spotted in Liverpool and with the Brazilian season ending at Christmas, it might make sense for Paqueta to move in January, although plenty of big European clubs are keen.