Liverpool star isn’t Barcelona’s ideal Neymar replacement
Liverpool have a chance to keep their talisman
Liverpool may lose Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, but he isn’t the La Liga giant’s first choice to replace their Brazilian talisman. That honor belongs exclusively to Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde was asked recently about his club’s interest in the young Italian but he refused to be drawn out on the subject. Valverde deflected the question by claiming he likes “all good players” but he prefers his own squad’s stars.
Despite Valverde’s refusal to discuss Dybala publicly, it’s clear the Catalan giants have serious interest in him. They’ve made several serious attempts to sign him this summer. Barcelona will not let the fact that Dybala signed a new deal with the Old Lady this offseason deter them from continuing the chase.
That news should be widely celebrated by fans at Anfield. As the rumours of Neymar’s possible move to PSG escalate, so to do claims they’ll want to replace one Brazilian with another. Liverpool have plainly stated their desire to keep hold of Coutinho at all costs this summer, but Barcelona have the financial might to make an offer they can’t refuse. It’s worth noting that Coutinho has continually refused to rule out a move to play with Messi and company.
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Barcelona’s preference to purchase Dybala over Coutinho comes down largely to positioning. Both are tremendously talented attackers, but the Juventus product would serve as more of a like for like replacement with Neymar. He may play as a central striker at the moment, but he clearly has an eye for goal that would function equally as well out on the wing.
In contrast, Coutinho strongly prefers to play as an attacking midfielder. There’s a pretty talented player at Barcelona that would prevent him from occupying that position. Coutinho is a really good player, but he isn’t anywhere near Messi’s level. Even though Coutinho does play on the wing for Liverpool occasionally, it’s not where he truly thrives. He’s a player who is at his best on the ball in the middle of the pitch.
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In the end, Coutinho’s desire to play as a number ten might be Liverpool’s best chance to keep him at Anfield this summer. Juventus, on the other hand, might want to begin to make contingency plans in case their star elects to follow in Neymar’s footsteps.