Coutinho celebrates after scoring Liverpool’s second goal (Reuters)

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher expects Philippe Coutinho to play in a deep role for the Reds on a regular basis based on his display against West Ham.

In the build-up to Liverpool’s match at the London Stadium manager Jurgen Klopp spoke about Coutinho being deployed in a new role.

For most of the season the Brazilian has been playing on the left-side of a front three. He’s been hugely successful in that position with 10 goals and five assists prior to Sunday’s game.

However Klopp put forward the idea of Coutinho playing in a deeper midfield role in the days before the game. He then backed that up by playing the 24-year-old further back at the London Stadium and it was quickly rewarded.

What Klopp said about Coutinho…

‘Can we work on different things with Phil? Yes of course.

‘He plays at the moment kind of wing “10” but he can also play as a No 8. That is possible and maybe he will have more influence and we can involve another player on the wing.

‘That would make us stronger for sure, having his creativity in the middle of the park. He would have to adapt to that. He is young, full of talent and I’m pretty sure he thinks he is in the right place.’

 

During the first half of the match Coutinho picked up the ball in the middle of his own half and spotted a run by striker Daniel Sturridge. He played the perfect ball through the middle and Sturridge did the rest to give Liverpool the lead.

Sturridge celebrates (Getty)

Coutinho – reportedly a target for Barcelona – then followed that up in the second half by collecting the ball in a central position and jinking around the West Ham defence before scoring with a shot from outside the box.

Carragher, commentating for Sky Sports, said: ‘I think this is going to be something we see for the next few years if he stays at Liverpool.’

Coutinho scored a fine goal from outside the box (Reuters)
Liverpool celebrate (Reuters)

Shortly after Carragher’s comments Coutinho then scored again, completing a quick counter-attack with an assured finish.

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