Sherwood explains why Liverpool ‘miss’ Barca’s Coutinho

Joe Williams
Philippe Coutinho Lionel Messi Barcelona

Former midfielder Tim Sherwood thinks Liverpool are missing Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho this season as he has the ability to “open up” tight defences.

Coutinho, who has been linked recently with a move to Manchester United, has not yet truly settled at the Camp Nou since joining 14 months ago from Anfield for a deal believed to be worth up to £142million.

Liverpool have been doing just fine since as they sit one point off Premier League leaders Manchester City and have made it through to the Champions League quarter-finals, after reaching the final last campaign.

However, Sherwood thinks Jurgen Klopp’s men lack someone that can play a “cute pass” in matches where the opposition are hard to break down.

“If they would have liked to have kept any player it would have been Coutinho,” Sherwood told Sky Sports.

“I think he’s that one who can open up the defence, he’s got that cute pass, little bit of disguise on his pass, that guile which I think they miss.

“I’m sure they’ll be looking for that.

“They certainly could do with a Christian Eriksen-type, or Coutinho who they had at the club.

“Obviously he wanted to leave to go to Barcelona.

“Hopefully for Liverpool’s sake they win a Champions League and Barcelona don’t and it will prove his decision was wrong.”