Liverpool have made initial contact to sign Coutinho replacement – Arsenal wanted him in the summer

Liverpool are searching for a Philippe Coutinho replacement as the Brazilian has moved to Barcelona. The former Inter Milan man missed our last few games due to an ‘injury’ and has now signed for the Catalans in what is a £142m move.

While we have been linked with a move for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, a player that was also in the news in the summer was Riyad Mahrez. L’Equipe carries a report that suggests we have already opened talks with Leicester City to sign their Premier League winning star Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian was the PFA Player of the Year in 2016 and led Leicester to an unlikely title but he was looking for a move away from the King Power Stadium in the summer.

Arsenal were one of the clubs looking to add the Algerian to their side but he stuck around even after the end of the window, despite not doing all that well at the start of the campaign.

Ever since the appointment of Claude Puel, Mahrez has found his shooting boots again and has 7 goals and 7 assists to his name. With Coutinho on his way to Barcelona, if not now, Liverpool might do well to sign a player that can be one of the best in the world on his day.

Our Verdict

Mahrez might be a year older than Coutinho, being 26, but he doesn’t have the same passing range and ability that the Brazilian has. Claude Puel does not want to lose the star player but the Leicester board would look to get as much money from us as possible, now that the Coutinho sale is done.

The Algerian would be a tricky customer to have in our side and even if he does not have the pace of Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane, he would be a great addition as we look to add more options in our attack. Mahrez can even play a little deeper, with Jurgen Klopp trying to shoehorn him into the midfield but having him out wide would give us a different dimension when we take on the opposition.

The Algerian might not be the biggest name to replace Coutinho but he knows the league very well and if we are to splash the cash on someone who can be a success, Mahrez should be right at the top of the list.