Pulis pays the ultimate price
London
Philippe Coutinho’s longterm future might lie away from Liverpool, but the Brazilian star’s ability to focus on the present has helped heal the wounds from his flirtation with Barcelona.
When Juergen Klopp’s side travel to Sevilla for a crucial Champions League clash tonight, they will rely on Coutinho to lead their bid to get the win that would book their place in the last-16.
For Coutinho to be at the centre of Liverpool’s season is a testament to the peace-making skills of Klopp and the forward’s refusal to let his failed attempt to force a move to Barcelona make him public enemy No 1 on Merseyside.
Just two months ago, Coutinho’s relationship with his club and their fans was badly frayed after he handed in a transfer request while Barca tried to convince Liverpool to sell their prize asset with bids rising to over £100 million.
Liverpool’s American owners were adamant Coutinho wasn’t for sale, prompting mutterings from the 25-year-old’s camp.
Klopp cleverly kept both his employers and the player happy toeing the company line without criticising Coutinho.
When he finally returned to action after an injury-hit start to the season, Coutinho repaid his manager for his diplomacy.
On a red-hot streak of late, Coutinho bagged his fifth goal of the season in Liverpool’s 3- 0 win over Southampton on Saturday.
It was his fi fth strike in his last seven appearances, but the Brazil forward’s value to Liverpool is measured in more than just goals.
When Coutinho first arrived following his £8.5 million move from Inter Milan in 2013, he believed he was in danger of being pigeon-holed as a playmaker.
Quickly adjusting to the unique demands of the frenetic Premier League, Coutinho realised it was important to work on the defensive side of his game.
He also focused on developing a more nuanced understanding of how to thrive in a team structure rather than playing on instinct alone.
With Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah also in blistering form, Klopp can call on two transcendent talents in Seville as Liverpool face the toughest test of their group campaign.
With Coutinho back in the groove, Liverpool have the weapons to fight fire with fire. – Today: Besiktas v Porto, Spartak Moscow v Maribor, Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur, Napoli v Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla v Liverpool, APOEL v Real Madrid, Manchester City v Feyenoord, Monaco v RB Leipzig Tomorrow: CSKA Moscow v Benfica, Qarabag v Chelsea, Juventus v Barcelona, Basel v Manchester United, Anderlecht v Bayern Munich, Sporting CP v Olympiakos, Atletico Madrid v Roma, PSG v Celtic.
– West Bromwich Albion sacked manager Tony Pulis (above) yesterday after a miserable run of form that has seen the Chinese-owned club slump to 17th in the Premier League table.
Pulis has had just two wins in his past 21 Premier League games following Saturday’s 4- 0 defeat to Chelsea and the club sit just one place above the relegation zone after an 11-game winless run in all competitions.
“These decisions are never taken lightly but always in the interests of the club,” chairman John Williams said.
“We are in a results business and over the back end of last season and this season to date, ours have been very disappointing.
“We would like to place on record our appreciation of Tony’s contribution and hard work during a period of transition for the club.”
Assistant head coach Gary Megson will take charge of firstteam affairs until further notice.
Owner Guochuan Lai watched the Chelsea defeat after flying over from China for a pre-arranged trip and is now tasked with finding a new manager, with Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes linked to the post.
Pulis, 59 – the fi fth Premier League manager to be sacked this season – replaced Alan Irvine when the Baggies were a point above the relegation zone in January 2015, leading them to 13th.
They finished 14th in 2015/16 and came 10th last season but failed to win any of their final nine matches.
Pulis made a defence of his record before the Chelsea defeat, suggesting Albion would struggle to get a better replacement.
“If I left tomorrow I’d put my record in front of anybody and see what they think of what I’ve done here in three years,” he said on Friday. –
London