Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho won't have a "fixed" position next season
Posted Wednesday, July 26, 2017 by squawka.com
Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho won't be tied down to one specific position next season, Jurgen Klopp has revealed.
An attacking midfielder by trait, the Brazilian international operated in a number of roles for the Reds in the campaign just gone – but was often used on the left of an attacking trio including Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Towards the end of last season he was was shifted into a central attacking role and there's been a debate as to where he'll be deployed in the upcoming campaign.
Following the arrival of Mohamed Salah to further bolster Klopp's forward line, it's been speculated that Coutinho's future is in a deeper role. However, the German tactician insists the 25-year-old will be given freedom to flourish.
"He is not fixed and he should not be fixed," he said, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
"Look against Leicester. Gini (Wijnaldum) and Hendo couldn't play together because we have these two players for the No 6 at the moment. Either one or the other.
"Of course they can play together but you couldn't do it (against Leicester)
"Then with Adam (Lallana) and Phil and Gini it was really offensive. We need to have these different options.
'Phil can play every day in about five positions'
"Systems are not that important. They are important of course but not as much if you can play different systems. You can play every system that you know, as long as they make sense. This at the moment is how we have to work with the players.
"So it makes for us the most sense like this and Phil can play every day in about five positions – in all these different systems. It's cool. You have to do the right thing at the right moment.
"Which position we play, I don't care."
Klopp's words about where Coutinho fits into his plans will be music to the ears of a number of Reds supporters as their talisman has been heavily linked with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona over the past few days.
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