THE Philippe Coutinho saga has given Liverpool Football Club a lot to think about over the course of the summer.
Comparisons have been made between the Brazilian’s situation and that of Luis Suarez’s Arsenal saga or even Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita and their deadlocked moves to Anfield. But, after Barcelona’s incredible Sunday 7pm ultimatum for The Reds to change their stance over Coutinho passed by, the dust finally appears to be settling in terms of his short-term future at the club.
Barring another bid, all that is left now is for Coutinho’s mystery-shrouded back problems to clear up and Jürgen Klopp to begin the process of reintegrating him into the squad. There have been doubts over the mindset of the 25-year-old since he decided he would attempt to force through a move to the Camp Nou.
But with a World Cup on the horizon and given the damage that nine months of protesting could do to his reputation, it’s unlikely he will do anything other than get his head down over the course of the season — especially if he wants the opportunity of a “big” move to present itself again in future.
Even beyond that point, questions may remain about his commitment after having his head turned by the Catalan club. Klopp has always emphasised that he only wants to work with players who have 100 per cent commitment to the cause and want to be at the club. Throw in the bizarre suggestions of a breakdown in relations, and that is where some have started to draw comparisons to Mamadou Sakho’s standing at Liverpool.
The Frenchman was a fan favourite before he took a fat burner without the club’s knowledge that caused UEFA to launch an investigation. Sakho’s actions meant he missed the run in to the Europa League final and the Euros in his home country, although he was eventually portrayed as the victim when the investigation was dropped.
It’s worth remembering that, whether or not the substances contained in the fat burner were on UEFA’s banned list, Sakho was having problems maintaining his weight and took something without consulting the club’s experts. It was an unnecessary risk, there are people specifically employed to try and help the players keep in shape and Sakho was clearly not doing what he should have been. That in itself is unprofessional behaviour.
That may have been enough for Klopp to decide he wasn’t committed enough — it’s not unreasonable to expect the highest standards from every player at the club. But the manager decided to give Sakho another chance and reintegrate him into the squad for their pre-season tour of America.
Perhaps not realising the already thin ice he was skating on, the former Paris Saint-Germain defender nearly missed the team’s flight, skipped a rehabilitation session and was late to a team meal before being sent home by Klopp. In the manager’s eyes the player was showing a further lack of professionalism and was doing little to redeem himself for his previous misconduct.
Some supporters thought that the German was looking to make an example of somebody and that Sakho had made himself an easy target but the truth was that he wasn’t achieving the standards that are expected of anybody who is lucky enough to pull on the red shirt. That was before he decided to voice his frustrations over Snapchat on the day of Liverpool’s first home game of 2016-17 against Leicester City and then refused the opportunity to rescue his reputation by going out on loan.
For those reasons there should be no way back for Sakho, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the same should apply to Coutinho. The biggest gripe for Klopp will be the timing of the transfer request, coming just the day before The Reds’ season opener at Watford. There were suggestions that Barca had specifically advised their target that unsettling the pack would make a move easier. In reality it only hardened Liverpool’s stance.
ESTADÃO:#Coutinho‘s entourage confirms he never had the will to not play for Liverpool but had to follow his representatives instructions.
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) 21 August 2017
Whether through bad advice or personal decision, there is definitely no smoke without a fire where Coutinho’s future is concerned. It was his decision to email a transfer request to Michael Edwards and therefore it was he who decided the best time to do so would be on the eve of the opening day. Some will argue that his actions in this saga have been unprofessional and they would have genuine reason for doing so.
But to argue that he should be cast aside in the same manner as Sakho is something of an overreaction — and it’s got nothing to do with the ability of either player, though the Frenchman does appear to have been artificially elevated in that respect since being out of the picture. Coutinho’s behaviour is questionable at best but by comparison it’s akin to his first strike — which in Sakho’s case could either be walking out on the team after not being selected for the derby under Brendan Rodgers or allowing himself to become overweight and taking a pill without the club’s consent.
What will be telling is how Coutinho reacts once the window closes. If the reports are true and Barca have relinquished their interest, he will have to put up with being a Liverpool player until at least next summer — it seems implausible that Klopp would be happier to lose one of his star players in the middle of the season than he has been to do so in the opening month.
Ultimately the decision comes down to Klopp. He will be best placed to assess how Coutinho reacts to being denied his dream move and will be the one who decides whether he deserves to come back into the fold.
The Brazilian will be given that opportunity. Sakho has already spurned his.
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So let me get this right!
We don’t sell him for £118 million and then put him in the reserves and don’t play him?
Did you actually think before you started typing this article?
Have you read it? The question in the headline is because some people think he should. The piece argues that they shouldn’t be treated the same.
Did you actually read the article, where did he suggest that Seems to me he said the opposite but did suggest Klopp is best placed to make the decision , but that he will get his opportunity.
Did you actually think before you started typing this comment Bob?
Great article Josh. It’s a great point to bring up Sakho’s walk out when dropped for the derby and then subsequent issue with the fat loss pills. I had forgotten his disciplinary issues went as far back as time under Rodgers. The 2 situations are different and I believe Coutinho will be reintegrated successfully with the squad. He will bang in a goal from 30 yards and instantly be forgiven by any fans that bear him ill will too. Klopp puts a lot of faith in his footballers and a lot of emphasis on the emotional side of football and support so I would imagine he is very annoyed by how this saga played out. He will also be very annoyed not to have one of his best players available for the start of the season. The international break is coming at a perfect time for these ‘clear the air’ talks and hopefully come the Man City match on September 9th he will be back in the first 11.
not that are necessarily relevant to his Liverpool issues, but Sakho got into bother with PSG on a couple of occasions. Who knows what terms are in his contract on disciplinary issues, but clubs will include clauses around this and Sakho just went too far this time.
The attitude of the club in not backing Sakho immediately he failed the doping test spoke volumes.
On Coutinho – he comes back in at the first opportunity. His head is going to be all over the place and the best way to get him over that is back out running footie matches.
Coutinho i believe will be re-integrated into the first team. For me his agents / advisors have guided him in the wrong direction and at the same time his head has been turned. Will Coutinho want to leave next summer? Possibly / Likely but I think that solely depends on silverware. If we were to have a great season winning for example 2 trophys (l am in dreamland here I know). Then I really think Coutinho will properly look at him self, the team and Klopp and say something like “hang on aminute maybe Liverpool can fulfill all my dreams”. A number of the superstars in the a Barca team will be a year older and a lot of people are arguing that the Barca squad are already falling significantly behind Real Madrid. So in essense Coutinho risk of going to Barca “only” to be second best. So in short – we gonna win the league and go from strength to strengh. You all heard it here first – YNWA
This is the business end of the Premier league. We need PC now let’s not be stupid about how to handle it, Phil should come back in the side as soon as possible and we should get on with it and play ball, beautiful exciting football as we did last season . Liverpool at their best in 2016 with Phil in the side showed class, perhaps the best in the world. My message to LFC team, get that fire back and keep it there …there won’t be a team in the world that can beat you, including Barcelona!
No…he wants to clear the air. That is a humble move on his part. He is still a Red. And it’s time forgive Sakho and let him play. Done deal.
This is an excellent, well-reasoned piece Josh. I’ve seen some fans say ‘Klopp’s stubborn’ and ‘Sakho was only late a couple of times’ but it’s pretty clear he has a long list of transgressions at the club and has not heeded multiple warnings. His regular tardiness has also come up in at least one player interview long before the delaying-the-flight incident (in one of those “who’s the best dressed” ones). It’s not inconceivable that there are other incidents of misconduct we haven’t heard about.
No question that what Coutinho did was awful, and he hurt all our feelings, but there’s still the rational argument that there are mitigating circumstances for his behaviour, not least of which is that it was done during the transfer window, and is – however unpalatable it might have been – ‘acceptable’ behaviour during the window, albeit testing the limits of acceptability. As you say, it’s like his first strike, but I feel he has to do a lot more of this, and consistently over time, to catch up to Sakho.
awful behaviour, hurt feeling, limits of acceptability – think this overplays it somewhat. The window is open and he needed an offer to be made from Barcelona in order to start the process. The fact that happened as late as it did was down to Neymar and PSG. If Neymar doesn’t happen then we aren’t talking about this. Yet circumstances dictated that it happened when it did.
That’s football these day. Regardless of the timing, if your dream job comes up you’re going to want to take it. It’s the way it goes. I’ve got no issues with Coutinho at all.
I don’t disagree with your point about circumstances dictating his behaviour, but for me this doesn’t negate the fact that some of his actions and those of his camp were awful. I am quite comfortable with the cognitive dissonance of it all.
He’ll be re-introduced back into the fold and will play before end of September. It’s in the interests of both the club and the player that this happens. He has a World Cup squad to aim for and we have a title challenge to maintain that will be enhanced by Phil’s inclusion. He’ll leave next summer imo but while he’s here he’ll be part of the squad.
Hi.i don’t believe that anyone should be made to suffer like Sahko has,I’m sure he has learned his lesson and klopp has installed his authority very firmly and rightly so. give Mamadou another chance he will grab it with both hands, especially if we don’t land Virgil van dijke. Please
If Phil stays then i expect a deal to be arranged with Barcelona for next year.
Such as a fixed price guarantee etc thus preventing an auction…he has already sorted out his personal details it would appear….so hopefully our lot have bagged a top price for him.
In the meantime Klopp will have to swallow his pride and play him.
The Kop will cheer him if he scores and plays well and blow him a raspberry if he stinks….no problem.
Totally. He obviously must be reintegrated with the squad, and I’ll be delighted to enjoy his skills again.
My only worry is one I’ve not heard anyone else voice – what precedent does this set? What ill effects will he have seen for pushing hard to leave LFC? If everyone just kisses and makes up afterwards when he doesn’t get his move, why should anyone else hesitate to kick up a fuss and go on strike when they fancy being somewhere else?
Or did Suarez already set that precedent, and so his old mate Phil figured he might as well try it on too. After all, what’s the harm..?
Named a bit dangerously to get clicks/reads but good piece
1st match in september for him?
Liverpool will not go through all the trouble of keeping Couthino just to exile him. As was pointed out the behavior of the two players is actually night and day.
Nope. Sakho’s case was repeated indiscipline and Coutinho’s was kind of glitch! All this was due to some very poor advise from his representative. Don’t think we’re keeping him just to freeze him out. Anyway, Klopp should also let Coutinho knows, we can play and win without him. No player is indispensable and no player is bigger than the club! YNWA
I’ve not read comparisons between Coutinho & Sakho until this article. The situations are chalk & cheese, Coutinho has had 1 misdemeanour or massive indiscretion where as Sakho was one after another in a never ending list.
As long as Coutinho knuckles down and does the business on the pitch, their won’t be a problem. That’s in everybody’s best interests. Regardless, I believe what has happened with Phil recently, is the beginning of the end of his time at the club.
Personally, the only reason I wouldn’t have sold him is because Barcelona’s offer was ridiculous. As to comparisons, for all his faults I don’t think you can question Sakho’s desire to wear the shirt.
Its obvious that the situations are very different. A more interesting question for me is why klopp, having had 14 months to either replace sakho or reintegrate him has done neither.
Football is simple. If you’re a great player who wins matches, you’ll be forgiven for most transgressions. If your crap you’ll be discarded just as easy. Tough school, but them there the breaks.
Not saying Sakho is crap, but obviously not good enough, in Klopp’s eyes to allow his behaviour to be tolerated. If my top salesperson is generating me revenue miles over and above his targets, I’d be inclined to turn a blind eye to a few things too. Phil asking for a move is hardly saclaridge, we’ve all moved job, it happens.
He’ll come back in, play even better I think, and we’ll all forget this ever happened.
On the eve of the season? I think it is, not to mention the other crap he came out with about the manager. We’re not talking about a kid here, Coutinho is a fully grown man.
Let both players be forgiven and let’s move on. We need all hands to be on deck so as to achieve greater results this season.. The season will be a great one to remember because triumphs will be lifted that’s why this distractions are finding its way to distort everyone. Let go of the hurt and pain, together we can be champions. YWNA!!!
I’m glad LFC are sticking to their guns and not selling, despite the ever increasing and sorely tempting money bring flashed about.
When Barca went after Suarez, they were able to get him because of the efforts the player went to to get the deal moving. They bought him for a sum of money that even at the time was stupidly small for a player of his calibre, and look what he’s done for them since. Nowadays the sum wouldn’t even get you Suarez’s granny. Not only did they screw us on the deal, after LFC tried to safe face by claiming the sum was 10 million pounds more than it was, Barca had the cheek to rip the rug from under them by publicising the actual price. How embarrassing, and unnecessary.
Coutinho has just begun a 5 year deal with no release clause. If he’s happy to keep playing for us a while longer, keep him. Even if he grumbled, keep him. If he downs tools, keep him and sell him later.
Barca can eat a dick. Show them what class means, show them that we’re not some losers whose head can be turned with funny money.