Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge - The architects of success

Despite the negative cloud, which hangs like a noose around the neck of our beloved club. There remains a small glimmer of light trying to break through, in the form of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge. They provide a word so scarcely muttered by any supporters in recent times, hope.

I’ll try not to dwell on the negativity, as we as supporters are all acutely aware of the problems we face as a club, which generally land at the feet of one man. Our tactical approach, setup and team selection will always have a significant impact on the performance levels and they’ve notably been far below the expected level, for some time now. The team are so rigid, with static movement and a predictable approach, which is so easy to contain. It’s made for painful viewing and as crucial as points are, supporters want to see some attacking impetus and intent on the pitch.

Rewind to 13/14 season and we were imperious. An attacking force of nature, through simple design and implementation. Clinical, dynamic and at times majestic, with lightning speed of both mind and body. Despite the current criticisms levelled at Rodgers, which are entirely justified and fully endorsed by myself. That season he got it right, he picked that team, developed the tactics and while perhaps foolishly setup his team to outscore the opponents, it didn’t half make for a great spectacle. Armed with Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Philipe Coutinho the goals flowed and the Anfield crowd roared. The buzz, excitement and anticipation was palpable, because we were playing fearless, high intensity attacking football, that of which we’ve sadly not seen since.

As we head into a difficult period of games, the trepidation and fear is overwhelming. Liverpool supporters have hit rock bottom, expectant that we’ll fail or at least fall short of the major hurdles. The belief that we can’t win games once we concede first, is fully justified. The problem is not just goals, but the lack of creative edge. We simply haven’t been creating enough clear cut chances, despite for me having the talent in our squad to do so. Are these tactical deficiencies, or just players not performing to the required level? For me it’s a combination of both, but with the latter you have to consider the motivation and leadership, which appears so lacking at this present moment.

At the start of last season our creative hopes solely lay at the feet of Coutinho and Sterling, with a long term injury to Sturridge and the departure of Luis Suarez. Those expectations proved a weight, which eventually became too much to bare, especially for Raheem. During our best spell of last season, we were relying on a moment of genius, combined with defensive solidity to win games. That caution was understandable given our earlier season’s failings. However Rodgers never appeared confident in that approach and neither did the player; in truth we’ve never really recovered. The cohesion and fluidity was never sustained and we’d lost that tenacious edge that made us so clinical and feared.

Crucially we’ve started this season in the same form as we finished the last, if not worse. We’ve looked devout of creativity, with no incisive movement or real strategy of attack. One of arguments is that players such as Firmino and Benteke will take time to incorporate into the team and yes that’s true. However they’re not helped if the team is not designed to play to their strengths, nor are players used in their correct positions. Both arrive like many others with great potential but time after time, when the players have quality but fail to perform, you have to start considering why?

Until Coutinho and Sturridge arrived in January 2012, we played with a similar level of striking incompetence, but they quickly changed that. Both fit the mould of transfer, which we’ve most successfully gained from in recent times. Players of high quality and pedigree, who’ve not been embraced or best utilised at their club. Players who are chomping at the bit to prove any doubters wrong, with a great determination to succeed. In many cases they’re just happy to play regularly, moving from bit part players, to being key components. Some relish the responsibility and use it to their strengths, needless to say on this occasion both players did.

Once allowed the opportunity, they quickly proved a breath of fresh air, their quality shining through almost instantly. When Suarez was banned for an 8 game stretch, there was great fear among the supporters. But there needn’t have been; as it offered an opportunity to see a blossoming combination that excited us all. They played with a almost effortless connection, like they’ve grown up playing in the playground together. It was a partnership of which I’d liken to Gerrard and Torres, in terms of connection and has proved extremely successful.

Daniel Sturridge scored his 37th Premier League goal in just 57 Liverpool appearances last weekend (Coutinho has directly assisted 8 times), becoming the most lethal striker in the clubs history. When you consider that list contains Fernando Torres, Robbie Fowler and Luis Suarez, you just have to stand back and applaud. He’s a born finisher, so natural and composed. Both goals scored this weekend epitomised his instinctive finishing. The first immaculate control and technique, the second goal pure arrogance and it showed exactly why we were excited by the pair, the connection and quality so evident for all to see.

Philippe Coutinho is a scorer of truly magnificent goals, but due to the rarity of these momentous occasions, you have to consider why he’s not a permanent number 8. He’s tenacious and dogged, with a real bite to his game. The 8 offers him freedom to dictate from deep, with space offered to expose the oppositions weakness. Pushed wide left, or at times in the 10 he can’t effect the game as positively in my opinion. Coutinho has 19 assists in his time at the club, scoring 14 goals. In 87 appearances that’s good, but it’s not elite. He isn’t clinical enough to play in the 10, especially when you consider we’ve signed Firmino, who will excel given the chance and has far superior goals to game ratio.

As individuals I feel we’re yet to see the best of what both players truly have to offer. Daniel’s issues aren’t in his ability, on form he’s up with the very best strikers in the league. It’s just his body, which so badly lets him down. Philippe is gifted, incredibly so. However he’s not quite yet fully harnessed his world class potential, perhaps he never fully will unless he realises quite how special he really is. The age old additive “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, has never been more apt. As individuals they still sit under the potential tag, albeit very highly. But as a pair I firmly believe they have the intelligence, ingenuity and understanding of each other’s game to hurt opponents; whilst proving a catalyst to give our attacking game a genuine purpose, so desperately lacking and required, if we’re ever to find success once more.