Brendan Rodgers’ believes goals are not a major part of Philippe Coutinho’s game.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has likened Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho to Real Madrid duo Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, following calls for Coutinho to add more goals to his game.
The midfielder this week committed his long-term future to the Merseyside club by signing a deal which runs until 2020; giving the club, which lost their last star player and will imminently be left without their influential captain, a real boost.
Coutinho has been in wonderful form in terms of his creative game, assisting four goals in his last six league appearances, but has acknowledged that goals are vital in the position he plays.
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However, Rodgers is comfortable with the performances produced by his no.10 and believes goals are not a major part of his game.
“If you look at that type of player he is, you look at Modric,” Rodgers told reporters ahead of the FA Cup replay against Bolton (via the Mirror).
“He doesn’t have a big goalscoring record, but he is a world-class player, a continuity player.
“He can make passes and put the ball in behind and he gets the odd goal from outside the box. He is a top-class player who can create the game who is so important in opening up doors for the team.
“Toni Kroos is another of that type; a wonderful footballer and great passer.”
Rodgers’ comments are understandable, but Coutinho and the Real Madrid pair do not operate in the same positions on the field. Kroos and Modric are very much deep-lying play-makers tasked with providing a base behind a lethal forward-line.
Coutinho is one of Liverpool’s advanced midfielders and when floating behind a loan striker, then goals will inevitably become a barometer for a player’s contribution.
This may just be a deflection tactic by Rodgers and he will no doubt be hoping, privately, that his Brazilian wizard will start to produce match-winning individualistic moments galore.