Liverpool have confirmed today that the ankle injury Philippe Coutinho suffered in Saturday's 2-0 win over Sunderland will keep the Brazilian out for 6 weeks. Effectively meaning that Liverpool will be without their talisman throughout the hectic New Year period, missing an important match at home to Manchester City on New Year's Eve. Having contributed five goals and five assists so far this season, Coutinho started the campaign in scintillating form and has been impressive in almost every game Liverpool have played. Currently trailing Chelsea by a single point, the loss of Coutinho will surely be a big blow for the club at a time Klopp has seen his side go 11 games unbeaten in the Premier League.
But Liverpool are better equipped to deal with injury this time around.
Time for Sturridge or Origi
Whilst Klopp has preferred deploying Firmino in a false nine role, out and out strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi have been biding their time on the bench. With Sturridge's only league start coming against Leicester City and Origi reduced to only EFL Cup starts thus far. However now with Coutinho out the picture now more than ever is the time for the strikers to impress Jurgen Klopp. Origi is currently in a better position than his 27 year-old team mate with the Belgian being preferred as an option off the bench multiple times this season and Sturridge facing yet another spell on the sidelines with a calf problem.
Depsite the fact Sturridge's injury is only minor and expected to miss the EFL Cup quarter final more as a precaution, Origi is expected to lead the line against Leeds; another opportunity for the striker to impress the manager. His first
Depsite the fact Sturridge's injury is only minor and expected to miss the EFL Cup quarter final more as a precaution, Origi is expected to lead the line against Leeds; another opportunity for the striker to impress the manager.
His first Premier League goal of the season against Sunderland will surely put him firmly in contention and similar to Saturday's events, swap Coutinho for Origi for the upcoming schedule. Origi's performance emphasises his desire to find a place in the side and showing the energetic enthusiasm and pressing that embodies a Klopp side.
However
However Sturridge possesses a power to change the game with one move and a technical ability that can't be taught which gives him the upper hand over the Belgian, but they both other pace and an eye for goal that will be valuable in a schedule that includes a top of the table clash with Manchester City. The fact that Klopp has two strikers at his disposal shows a strength in depth that Liverpool have been lacking in recent years and shows that the loss of Coutinho won't be as damaging as many think.
Midfield Upgrade
Whilst there is the possibility of a straight attacker for attacker swap, Klopp might opt for a different approach. Adam Lallana is due to return from an injury picked up during the international break for the next match away to Bournemouth.
So far Lallana has played on the right side of the midfield trio and has impressed. He has the ability to be moved further up the pitch and adopt Coutinho's position in the side, meaning that Firmino can resume his role as the false nine and the formation doesn't have to be sacrificed.
He played a similar role for Southampton with his form earning him his move to the club, and with three goals and five assists this season, capable of reproducing the same form in a more advanced position. Finally there is also Wijnaldum, deployed as an attacking midfielder at both PSV and Newscastle, he has been utilised alongside Lallana in central midfield and playing in a position deeper than the Dutchman is used to.
However 11 Premier League goals last season show that Wijnaldum, is capable of playing in a more attacking role for Liverpool.
Ex-Liverpool defender Carragher believes the loss of Coutinho will damage Liverpool's title challenge "it could be huge. He's Liverpool's best player. I think Liverpool's XI, playing week in week out, can match up to almost any team in the league but have they got the squad the other sides have got? I don't think so to be honest." But the options that Klopp has at his disposal, prove otherwise.
