We cannot expect one player to fill gap left by Coutinho exit, says Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum, the Liverpool midfielder, has revealed the sadness in the squad at the departure of Philippe Coutinho but insisted no individual would be expected to fill the void.
Coutinho completed his dream move to Barcelona this week in a deal worth £142 million despite manager Jurgen Klopp’s best efforts to dissuade him.
The atmosphere at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground in the build-up to their Premier League fixture with Manchester City has been subdued in the wake of the Brazil playmaker’s exit.
Coutinho was not renowned as a big personality in the dressing room, but Wijnaldum admitted his absence would be felt. “To be fair, it is still strange, I think we still have to realise he has gone,” Wijnaldum said.
“A quality player like Phil, every team will miss a player like that. He was a really nice guy to work with. That is why we are happy for him that he can make the move, but also sad that he didn’t stay because with Phil in the team, you are a better team.
“He was one of the best players we had but as a person he was maybe even the best. He was not like ‘I am the best’ or arrogant or something like that. Phil was always a person who listened to the team, who listened to the coaching.”
Wijnaldum believes City, and other Premier League clubs, are fortunate they will face a Liverpool team without Coutinho. Last month was his most prolific in a Liverpool shirt as he scored seven goals in all competitions. “They are lucky, yes,” said Wijnaldum. “Every top team is probably happy he leaves to another team in another country.”
Klopp, however, will not attempt to fill the gap left by Coutinho by placing a greater weight of expectation on his midfield players.
“He [Klopp] is not saying you have to step up now or do this or that, he just wants us to enjoy the game and try to do our best,” added Wijnaldum. “He is not the kind of manager who will put that kind of pressure on players. The only pressure the manager puts on us is that we have to give 100 per cent and try to use the quality we have.”
Centre-back Virgil van Dijk will make his Premier League bow for Liverpool, having scored a dramatic late winner in their FA Cup tie with Everton on his debut, and Wijnaldum reckons his Dutch compatriot’s cool assurance will be an asset. “I didn’t know he was that calm,” said the 27-year-old. “He talks a lot to help his team-mates and particularly those in front of him. Virgil always tries to learn, and though he is a leader he knows he can still get better.”
Few would expect City to stumble in their quest for the Premier League title, but manager Pep Guardiola has warned that it is still possible. He said: “Of course we can lose the title, but if we maintain our level, we have a chance.” He added that he respected Klopp’s side for trying to play in an attacking style that echoed the great Liverpool sides of the 1980s. “They are playing like Liverpool were in the past, with all their history.” Liverpool v Manchester City
4pm, Sky Sports