Ince: Coutinho loss has put Liverpool ‘on another planet’

Joe Williams

Former midfielder Paul Ince thinks the departure of Philippe Coutinho has helped Liverpool take their game to another level.

The Reds’ have almost tied up a place in the top four of the Premier League, while they recently beat Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate to move into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Coutinho left for Barcelona in the January transfer window in a deal that could be worth a reported £146million and Ince has been impressed how Liverpool have hit new heights since the Brazilian left Anfield.

“When you look at Liverpool’s recent performances, they’re on another planet to the rest of the league in terms of balance and having the right mix in the team,” Ince told Paddy Power.

“The amazing thing is, that’s is all of the back of Philippe Coutinho leaving.

“Everyone thought that when he left that it would weaken Liverpool – but it’s actually strengthened them!

“That’s because they were probably too reliant on the Brazilian. Everything had to go through him. With him out of the picture, other people have stepped up and not just Mo Salah.”Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all have showed they’re not in Coutinho’s shadow.

“It’s much more of a team effort now, rather than it being all about one player.

“Yes, Salah is the standout man and that’s obvious, but every one of them puts a shift in.”