Champions League qualification key to keeping Philippe Coutinho, says Phil Thompson
Written by News on 15/08/2017
Phil Thompson believes Liverpool can keep hold of Philippe Coutinho – but only if they make the Champions League group stages.
The Reds head into the first leg of their Champions League play-off with Hoffenheim on Tuesday night needing to address the defensive issues which cost them an opening weekend victory as they conceded late on to draw 3-3 at Watford.
Coutinho will again be missing due to a reported back injury after handing in a transfer request on the eve of the Premier League season, but Thommo is confident the Brazil international will remain at Anfield if the club progress past Hoffenheim.
He told Sky Sports: "I think the outcome of the play-off could have a knock-on to Coutinho; if things go pear-shaped then has a pretty good excuse to say, ‘Let me go, I want to play in the Champions League’, so it is even more important in that respect.
"If we get through to the group stages then I think the owners – because they put everything at Coutinho’s disposal before, giving him a five-year deal and the pay increase that he and his agent asked for – have strong enough grounds to stand firm.
"The owners know it’s Barcelona but to them it’s a contract signed and until they’ve got a player who can fill his boots then they have no interest in selling, especially after the way the club was embarrassed with the timing of the transfer request."
The Liverpool legend is wary the Reds have been handed a tough tie against side unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga last season, but is confident they will prevail if they can address their defensive frailties
He added: "Out of all the teams we could have played this was the hardest. We could have had Nice, Steaua Bucharest, Young Boys or Istanbul BB and we pulled out Hoffenheim. They are very good defensively, very good at set-plays and Liverpool obviously need to improve at the back.
"But I do think we will have enough. You look at the German teams Liverpool have played in the summer; they played very well against Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin and Jurgen Klopp will obviously know them well.
"The old Achilles heel is the set-plays. Liverpool’s defenders have got to be assertive and attack the ball. Attack it with purpose. For me watching, they seem apprehensive and each player is looking for each other to take responsibility.
"I’m not one who is for zonal marking and would rather have man-to-man. People will throw up stats to suggest otherwise, but if you are going zonal then players need to take charge of making sure they attack the ball."
Follow Hoffenheim v Liverpool if you’re on the move with our live blog on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps, with updates on Soccer Special.
(c) Sky News 2017: Champions League qualification key to keeping Philippe Coutinho, says Phil Thompson
