Coutinho proves just the trick for resurgent Reds
THE man of the moment had no wish to reflect on his heroics, as he made a dash towards the exit. ‘I’m sorry! I’m sorry!’ Philippe Coutinho said, scurrying past the waiting television cameras and microphones before heading off to meet his family. Having evaded Everton’s attentions for the 70 minutes he was on the pitch, it was a suitable way for the Brazilian’s afternoon to finish.
It was also the only episode for which he had to apologise. Liverpool’s magician did not want to share his thoughts about the spells he had cast on Everton, ripping their aspirations to threads in the process, but others were only too happy to discuss the majesty of his display.
‘They (Coutinho and Roberto Firmino) had such a long, long flight back from Brazil,’ Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren explained. ‘They did not even train with us! It was just a little session (on Friday) but they are such quality players. They don’t even need to train.’
After a spell in the doldrums, when he struggled to have an impact and looked short of confidence, Coutinho roared back at the most opportune moment, strengthening Liverpool’s hold on a top-four place as the finishing line creeps into view. His frustration at being substituted was obvious.
‘ He could have carried on making a difference with his genius passing and his speed,’ said his manager, Jurgen Klopp.
‘But it was a decision because we really need him and 70 minutes was absolutely enoughg after his trip and playing the games for Brazil. It was a fantastic game for him in both directions.’
This has to be the start of something significant for Coutinho, who scored a fabulous second goal in Liverpool’s 3-1 breeze and created the final goal for substitute Divock Origi with a ball that sliced Everton’s defence in half.
Not long after he had made his excuses to the media and left, one of his team- mates was also reticent to speak. Sadio Mane, whose eighth-minute strike had set the wheels in motion for Liverpool, walked gingerly along the same stretch of corridor.
Again there were only four words but these were significant. Mane insisted ‘I’m not too bad’ in an attempt to allay fears that the knee problem that had ended his afternoon after 57 minutes was not going to end his season. He will discover the results of a scan today. His participation in Wednesday’s game against Bournemouth is under threat and it is for this reason Coutinho — who earlier this year signed the biggest contract in Liverpool’s history — must take on the baton if they are to reclaim a place among Europe’s elite.
Mane, whose speed and slaloming runs and energy gave Everton nightmares, has been absent eight times this season. Liverpool have lost five of those matches, their one win coming at Plymouth in the FA Cup.
Everton had high hopes of winning at Anfield for the first time since September 1999 but this display felt like a surrender and Ronald Koeman’s comments about him being proud of the display were risible. ‘It is always difficult, especially in your first