Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp has called upon Philippe Coutinho “to show he is the main man” and limit the damage dealt by Adam Lallana’s injury ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside Derby.
Lallana has been one of the Reds’ most impressive players this term, scoring and assisting seven, but will miss the visit of fierce rivals Everton after sustaining an injury on international duty.
It has been suggested that Coutinho, who has only netted once since the turn of the year, will move back into the midfield role traditionally occupied by Lallana.
Redknapp expects the Englishman to prove a costly absentee but insists Coutinho can fill the void, provided he rediscovers his best form.
“Lallana has been Liverpool’s best player this season,” the player-turned-pundit told Sky Sports. “Early on in the season, the go-to man was Philippe Coutinho, but he has fallen away a bit. I think he may have come back from his injury a bit too soon.
“Coutinho has to show he is the main man, now. He has been Liverpool’s best player in the last few years, but he hasn’t done it recently for some reason.
“There is huge emphasis on him to play well, in that Lallana role. There are options for Liverpool, but Coutinho should be the focal point.
“Lallana is a massive miss. He is the one that first puts the opposition under pressure, but also has fantastic skill and is capable of scoring goals. If you could have taken one player out of Liverpool’s team to favour Everton, it would have been Lallana.”
Should Jurgen Klopp opt for Coutinho as Lallana’s direct replacement, it will likely fall upon youngster Ben Woodburn or Divock Origi to replace the Brazilian in the dynamic front three.
