BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona shelled out a club record €160 million (S$250 million) to prise Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, yet one year on from his signing, the Brazilian is struggling to get a game while his former side are thriving in his absence.
Coutinho, the third most expensive player in the world behind Paris St Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, made a flying start to his Barcelona career with 10 goals in his first five months, giving the team a more direct outlet in midfield and an extra threat with his impressive long-range shooting.
But his impact has waned. He has failed to start any of the La Liga leaders' last three league games, falling behind Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal and French forward Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order.
Coach Ernesto Valverde has stopped short of publicly criticising the player, and neglected to say whether he had a preference for Coutinho or Dembele, the club's second most expensive acquisition at 105 million euros.
"It's a long way from being a problem having them both. It's an advantage," Valverde said last month.
"The coach is pro-Barca, he wants the team to win."
Valverde's recent team selections, however, may offer a clue to his thinking.
Â
Â
There was no place for Coutinho when Valverde fielded an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation in the recent 5-0 hammering of Levante, while he also left the Brazilian out when playing his usual 4-3-3 shape in victories over Espanyol and Celta Vigo.
The coach did pick Coutinho for a visit to Rayo Vallecano in November, but when he saw his side losing 2-1 at one of the weakest teams in the top flight, he hauled off the Brazilian and later brought on Dembele, who scored as Barca pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory.
In the last three league outings, Valverde has continued to show faith in Dembele, despite the French youngster running into trouble for turning up late to training.
With the lightning quick forward forming a blistering attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and the highly-experienced Vidal slotting comfortably into the midfield three, Coutinho has been forced to make do with cameo appearances from the bench.
It is quite the fall from grace for a player many believed was signed as the long-term successor to Andres Iniesta, who ended 16 trophy-laden seasons with Barca last May to see out his career in Japan.
With Liverpool sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League, Coutinho may be wondering on Sunday's anniversary of his transfer from Anfield to the Nou Camp whether it was quite the dream move he had imagined at the time.
Parris and White strike to give England victory over Scotland
With three second-half goals, Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey final for the sixth straight time. Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona advanced 4-1 on aggregate after being held to a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou three weeks ago.
Barcelona Beat Real Madrid 3-0 To Reach Copa Del Rey Final
Sergio Ramos set Spain on course for a comfortable victory over Sweden in qualifying for Euro 2020. The Real Madrid defender, 33, broke the deadlock at his club's home ground, scoring a second-half penalty for his 20th goal from 165 caps.
Football: Spain in charge of Group F after beating Sweden
Chelsea draw 2-2 with Burnley, denting Champions League hopes Premier League football match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge in London on April 22, 2019. they were held to a
Chelsea held 2-2 by Burnley, denting Champions League hopes
Football: Manchester City retain Premier League title after 4
Recalling Origi's "lucky goal", the Portuguese manager also mocked the manner in which the Reds boss celebrated the win as if it "was the final of a World Cup". EVERTON V LIVERPOOL Singtel TV
When the Reds will compete in the Club World Cup
SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, France: Thomas Tuchel on Monday (Apr 29) blasted Neymar for hitting a fan who insulted Paris Saint-Germain players as they filed up to collect their French Cup losers' medals.
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack
Spurs player ratings vs Man City: Alli outstanding & Alderweireld superb as Son strikes late on It came at a cost, however. With less than an hour gone, Harry Kane had his ankle trodden on by Fabian Delph as he went to block a clearance and he had to be helped down the tunnel immediately.
Pochettino slams Tottenham after defeat at Saints - ProSoccerTalk
Liverpool's record with Champions League final referee will have Reds fans worried. Damir Skomina will take charge of Liverpool vs Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid
UEFA Champions League Prize Money 2019 (Confirmed)
Home's Saswa is first casualty of SPL season After barely a quarter of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, Home United are the first team to part ways with their head coach as they announced the mutual termination of Saswadimata Dasuki's contract yesterday.
What They Said: Moyes on top four, Gerrard eyes title glory
Football: Noh Rahman embracing learning curve as Home United interim coach. Home United's new interim coach Noh Rahman guided the Protectors to a polished 3-0 win over Geylang International, but
Football: Noh Rahman embracing learning curve as Home United
Man City vs Liverpool: 5 Talking Points. Ad Man City just don`t look the side they were last year. Great finish from a player who is looking like he is enjoying his time at Liverpool, and
Liverpool just proved why the title is Man City's to lose
Ban completely unfair: Pochettino LONDON • Mauricio Pochettino is shocked at receiving a two-game touchline ban and a £10,000 (S$17,800) fine for his conduct following the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Burnley last month.
Spurs boss Pochettino shocked by 'completely unfair
Feb 03, 2019 · Sergio Aguero hat-trick gives Manchester City comfortable win over Arsenal for all the beauty and aesthetic precision of the football the City manager demands he needs a cold-blooded, ruthless
Man City 3-1 Arsenal highlights and reaction as Sergio Aguero
Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fuelled speculation about his future by confirming he is no longer contracted to Molde. The fan favourite joined on a deal until the end of the season 2018-19 season, after the sacking of Jose Mourinho in December. The intention was for
Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch champions league live streaming pc
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch premier league live streaming live
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch coppa america live streaming direct
free watch champions league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch champions league live streaming bola
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming now
watch champions league live streaming match
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming canada
tv soccer live stream sky
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch champions league draw live streaming free
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch premier league live streaming video
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch live soccer stream android
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch soccer games live stream free
watch soccer live stream links
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch champions league live streaming crictime
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch premier league live streaming free
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
#chocolatecoffee #risate #leomessi #villarealcf #MyDubai #arsenalnews #knuckleball #thomasmeunier #manchestercity #insegreto #vandijk #footballschedule #copaamerica #fcbarcelona #hotcoffee #kickoff #conference #oasis #rugby #battuteepiche #championship #myfootballuniverse #footballstreaming #commentimemorabili #champion #Barca #lionelmessi #valcea #Liverpool #Celtic #Bar #freekickerz #footballfans #panini #firmino #zinedinezidane #footballdubai #midnight #24x7 #cappucino #freekick #Liamgallagher #goal #noelgallagher #paulmcartney #bayernmunich #alissonbecker #soccer #Vip45 #transfernews #soccer #nutmeg #oasisandbeatles #MSport #Sunday #manchestercity #adidasslipon #salah #GarageCafeDxb #arsenalfantv #bestshishacafedubai #tokyo #americanfootball #cr7 #oasisofficial #Barcelona #liverpoolcity #frasirap #premierleague #mancityvsliverpool #girlsniteout #romania #lfc #golazo #watchlive #pagani #messi #premierleague #sumbertv #londoncity #livesports #Fcb #mane #afcnews #golf #ucl #meunier #championsleague #football #sunderlandafc #lovefootball #neymar #PartyTime
No comments:
Post a Comment