Tim Sherwood points to Coutinho factor – and he’s dead right

Add as preferred source on Google

Tim Sherwood believes that Liverpool are showing signs of missing Philippe Coutinho for the first time.

The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United on Monday, meaning they have now slipped up for the second successive match in the Premier League after failing to beat Leicester City.

Jurgen Klopp’s team are still top of the pile, but Manchester City are just three points behind now, with Tottenham Hotspur back in the picture a further two points back.

At the London Stadium, Liverpool saw a lot of the ball but struggled to break down a resolute Hammers side.

Manuel Pellegrini’s team had an excellent shape, and there were some brilliant individual performances from the likes of Declan Rice, Mark Noble Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate, Sherwood pointed to a lack of creativity and penetration on Liverpool’s part.

Sherwood on Coutinho

After seeing the Reds unable to pick West Ham’s lock, Sherwood said: “When you haven’t got that space, you need the guile. Manchester City have that in abundance. Teams sit back against Manchester City as well.

“But they mesmerise them, David Silva, Bernando Silva, Gundogan with the range of passing he’s got. Raheem Sterling, they’ve got people who can open people up.

“For the first time, and I hate to say it because I don’t think they’ve missed him up to now – Coutinho is a massive miss for Liverpool football club. He was the person who could open the door.”

He’s right

Arguably Sherwood is spot on with his assessment.

Coutinho was brilliant at producing moments of magic with full teams behind the ball.

He had the eye for a killer assist of a spectacular long-range strike.

Liverpool have done exceptionally well without ever truly replacing him. Perhaps ultimately, it’s what could cause them to come undone in the title race.