Daily Star

MERSON: Cou-less Klopp stars can stun leaders

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- ®Êby PAUL BROWN

LIVERPOOL can burst Pep Guardiola’s bubble tomorrow – but if they don’t replace Philippe Coutinho, it could cost them their Champions League place.

It’s a massive gamble, to let Coutinho go at this stage of the season, and they could live to regret it unless they sign a top replacemen­t this month.

But who can they get who is anywhere near as good? There aren’t that many around, especially in January, and everyone knows they’re rolling in money now. Prices go up.

Liverpool are on a good run of form and you just hope it doesn’t knock them off course, because if they don’t finish in the top four, there will be uproar.

It’s a big game for them tomorrow. They need to make a statement. And I think they are the ones who can beat Manchester City. I really do. They’ve just got to take a risk.

Everyone’s saying how well Bristol City did against the Premier league leaders in midweek but they had nothing to lose – if Liverpool go gung-ho and get thrashed, it’s a problem.

Jurgen Klopp is under a bit of pressure. They’ve sold their best player. But I think they will get a result.

City look jaded. I don’t see Liverpool losing – but I can see City losing, definitely.

Liverpool might be the only ones who can beat them. They have so much pace, and when they played them earlier this season they were carving City open until Sadio Mane’s red card.

Gamble

They have players who can hurt City. But they have got to finish in the Champions League places or there will be mayhem.

The board sold Coutinho and I’m pretty sure the fans won’t be happy if they miss out on the top four.

They have taken a big, big gamble. You would have thought they could have kept him until the end of the season at least, to see what happens.

Virgil van Dijk is a good centre-back and he will make a difference in an area where they

 ??  ?? BARCA BOY: Ex-Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho with his new jersey
BARCA BOY: Ex-Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho with his new jersey

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