Where would Coutinho fit in at Barcelona?

Is Coutinho on his way to Barcelona? /Image via thisisanfield.com

If ‘Operation Coutinho’ was not underway before the international break, it certainly is now with Neymar joining the growing chorus of players attempting to lure the Liverpool star to Barcelona.

The duo have been starring for Brazil over the last week or so, helping Tite’s side qualify for World Cup 2018 with four games to spare, and yes both players were on target in their 3-0 win over Paraguay on Tuesday.

Ahead of the game Neymar had already cast flirtatious glances in his team-mate’s direction, with words that will surely have left Jurgen Klopp seething.

“A Premier League player that I would like to have in Barcelona is Coutinho,” he said in an interview with PokerStars. “I believe Philippe Coutinho is a player that would totally fit in Barcelona.”

Camp Nou calling

Neymar is not the first to talk up a move for Coutinho with Xavi and Rivaldo both doing their bit for their former club.

“There are not many players that can improve Barcelona but, if you are asking me if he is one of them. He would suit Barcelona’s philosophy well,” Xavi told Goal.

Rivaldo, who won two Liga titles during his five years at Camp Nou, went one step further and says he expects a deal to be done.

“I think that this transfer might happen because Barcelona is always going to attract the best, isn’t it?” he told Sky Sports News

“He is one of the players who stands out and I believe that this transfer – if he goes to Barcelona – would be a good thing for Barcelona for sure.

“He is a player who would definitely help Barcelona. Of course, Barcelona is a big club, but with a player like him, it would definitely be a big help.”

Where does Coutinho fit in?

Barcelona look set to relinquish their title this season, they are now 9/4 to win La Liga, and certainly need to strengthen this summer. Although Coutinho signed a new long-term deal just two months ago, making him Liverpool’s best paid player, the signs suggest he could be the man.

Which of course begs the question: where on earth does he fit into a side that already features arguably the greatest frontline ever seen in Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, all of whom are undroppable?

At Liverpool Coutinho plays out wide on the left of a front three, scoring six and assisting five in 20 Premier League appearances for the Reds this season, yet that’s Neymar’s position at Camp Nou and there is no chance of him being replaced.

Coutinho can also play out on the right or as a No.10, but again that would involve dropping either Suarez or Messi, which is simply not going to happen.

The Brazilian has been talked about as a long-term replacement for 32-year-old Andres Iniesta, and he could drop deeper and play in a central midfield role, yet that does not make the use of his sensational skills on the ball and goalscoring ability.

However, Barcelona’s recent shift in formation to a 3-4-3 could just provide ideal for Coutinho. The Brazilian could line up on the right of a front three alongside Neymar and Suarez with Messi at the tip of the midfield diamond.

Barcelona would then possess an even greater attacking threat, if that is possible to imagine, and potentially a more balanced side than at present with Coutinho performing a similar role to Neymar only on the opposite flank.

Coutinho’s friendship with both Neymar and Suarez has been well-documented which suggests he could fit seamlessly into the line-up, particularly as he also knows the city well having spent half a season on loan at Espanyol from Inter.

While a deal is far from done, and Liverpool will undoubtedly be desperate to hang onto the jewel in their crown, the growing feeling is that they could lose him his summer should Barcelona come calling.