Liverpool’s recent slump against Bournemouth highlighted their defensive instability and it also questioned Jurgen Klopp’s decision to pick the Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva ahead of the natural centre-back Ragnar Klavan, and these issues completely shadowed the fact that Liverpool were at their best on the offensive side of the field and that too in the absence of their star man – Philippe Coutinho.
Coutinho has been a masterclass this season and Klopp’s new 4-3-3 setup has suited him perfectly. The former Inter Milan man has been a complete revelation for the Merseysiders this season and his five goals and five assists in the competition solely supports his cause.
Coutinho has hand in 10 of Liverpool’s all 35 goals this season and that contribution is just behind Chelsea’s Diego Costa and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
Talking within the Liverpool’s rank, Coutinho has been the best player without the slightest of a doubt. The stats mentioned below clearly suggest how dear Coutinho is for Liverpool. Plying his trade on the left side of the field, he has been terrorising the defences from the day one and his marauding runs in the opposition area have been a treat to watch for the spectators.
His injury against the Black-Cats left the Liverpool supporters in awe and since then, many have wondered as to how Liverpool can cope without their prolific goal provider.
On stepped Origi for Klopp and the former Lille man broke the deadlock for the German in the game and he continued his goal scoring form with a well-taken goal against an all-confident Leeds side in the EFL tie.
Liverpool were scheduled to play Bournemouth for the match-week 14 at the Vitality stadium and Origi’s performance was spot on as he defied all the physics laws and angled a neat finish from an acute angle.
Defensive woe let Liverpool down at the end of the game for sure, but Origi’s performance in the recent three fixtures have surely given Klopp much to think about.
Origi’s goal against the Cherries was his seventh in the league since the start of the last season, but his minutes per goal ratio beats many of the best strikers in the league. The 21-year-old takes just 131.14 minutes to score a goal and that trait is only behind Manchester City’s wonder boy Kelechi Iheanacho (95.45), Sergio Aguero (99.44) and Harry Kane(129.06). The prolific attackers of this season like Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez are behind the Belgian star in this stat.
Klopp surely has many issues to solve, but one thing is certain; Klopp has an amazing talent at his disposal. As mentioned earlier, Origi has waited for his chance and with Coutinho set to miss at least five more games, he must use the opportunity to bag a regular starting spot. If that happens, Daniel Sturridge’s future will be a big question mark but that’s football which can be a harsh master anytime and for anyone.
