PA Images
While it might not have been the most scintillating performance of the season, Liverpool fans can be happy enough with the manner in which their side bested Sunderland on Saturday. With Jurgen Klopp claiming afterwards that the Black Cats were "the most defensive team I ever saw," his side did a decent job to beat down their tenacious resistance, and prize three points from David Moyes' desperate, clawing hands. Now second in the table, a single point behind leaders Chelsea, there is genuine reason to believe that Liverpool can launch a serious title challenge in the coming months. That belief could be shaken in the next few hours, though, depending on confirmation of the result of Philippe Coutinho's ankle scan.Coutinho is one of those players who, despite what is clearly his abundant talent and penchant for scoring an absolute screamer, has occasionally flattered to deceive in a fashion that seems archetypal of an Anfield favourite. Like so many other players beloved of the Kop, he has, in the past, seemed like a man perpetually on the cusp of fulfilling his enormous potential, and yet unable to add an outstanding level of consistency to his overall game. With a scoring ratio of just under one in five for Liverpool, he doesn't net quite often enough to make that his prime function in the team, but nor is he a gluttonous assist gremlin in the mould of the greatest of midfield playmakers. Previously, he has flirted with both roles, and shone in glimpses while perfecting neither.Now, however, Coutinho seems to have found an ideal role for himself, and has consequently played a massive part in Liverpool's rise up the Premier League table. Rather than worry about his statistical output, he has become the ultimate attacking facilitator, using his pace, movement and quick thinking to create the time and space for teammates which, at times last season, Liverpool lacked. He chips in with ever more goals and assists but, as well as that, he has now become a featherweight nuisance, constantly jabbing and harrying the opposition while dancing around them on feet as light as air. Unfortunately, on Saturday, one of those feet was clattered into by the weighty presence of Didier Ndong, and the ensuing ankle injury might now see Coutinho out of action for anything up to a couple of months.Until the club confirm the extent of the damage, then, Liverpool fans will have to put their hands together, and offer up prayers to the great Scouse gods. Coutinho has made himself an indispensable part of their attacking line up, and without him the team would be significantly worse off, both in terms of points and aesthetic grace. Coutinho is a tiny dancer, a diminutive man ballerina with the poise and elegance of a young primo uomo. If Liverpool are going to achieve their ambitions this season, sooner rather than later, the dance must go on.
Advertisement