EPL: Predicting the top 15 Prem players in FIFA 17

By Tom Bogert | Jul 23, 2016

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: David De Gea of Manchester United and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City in discussion during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 02: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on April 2, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

13. Philippe Coutinho /// Liverpool /// Predicted FIFA 17 rating: 85 /// FIFA 16 rating: 84

Liverpool make an appearance on this list in the form of Philippe Coutinho. In recent years they’ve been gutted by losing star players Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres,

Andy Carroll

, Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso. And they’ve generally replaced those players with glorified trash. Sometimes not even glorified. This year, they’re primed to hold onto Coutinho and keep their marquee player.

Coutinho pokes his head above Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino in the Liverpool team because he’s more reliable by way of injuries and longer proven in the Premier League. He’s the guy at Liverpool, and he’s the best. Sturridge can turn a game on its head but he floats in and out of games, whenever he’s not on the treatment table.

The Brazilian was upgraded to an 84 in the winter update and he continued his sparkling play that spring, adding the ever elusive consistency to his game. He played very well with Brazil in the Copa America before they were knocked out at the hands of Peru, giving him extra time off this summer.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, Coutinho may be on the way out within a few years. The 24-year-old is starting to be the subject of high interest from clubs like PSG and Barcelona, and his close friend Neymar regularly advocates for Coutinho to join him. But for now, he’s at Liverpool and he’s a top player in the league.

Next: 12. Dimitri Payet

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