Brendan Rodgers has said that changing the team round on a gamely basis is why Liverpool have been successful this season. On Sunday against Manchester City, Rodgers changed it to a 4-3-3 formation. Liverpool went on to win the game 3-2 and gain an advantage on Chelsea and Manchester City whom are challenging for the Premier League crown.
He played Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho on the right hand side of the three in midfield where he faced off with Frenchman Samir Nasri. Coutinho and Henderson didn’t play completely wide in the three in midfield. The two players played narrow and not entirely wide, they were in the central areas to out number Manchester City’s strong midfield, but their job wasn’t done, they had to defend the wings too which Coutinho done superbly.
First of all defensively, when Clichy or Nasri were on the attack Coutinho was back supporting Glen Johnson. The Brazilian in an unfamiliar role for him made six successful tackles, more than any other player shutting out one side of Manchester City’s artillery. Coutinho stopped promising Manchester City pressure both playing narrowly in the midfield and out on the wing, he made one successful interception in the game coming from the central of midfield in the 84th minute. The 5 ft. 7 playmaker won all the headed duels he faced early on and in the dying minutes.
Throughout the game, his passing was accurate and effective on numerous occasions finding Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling. Forty out-of-fifty of his passes were successful, putting his completed percentage at 80%; only Steven Gerrard, Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel and Jon Flanagan were higher.
Liverpool were a threat attacking City’s defence, particularly down the flanks. The source of City’s defensive was Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho. Coutinho had 15.7% and 12.8% around the half way line on the right side; in the Liverpool’s final third he had 16% showing his defensive performance. In the opposition final third he has 15.7% and 2.94% in City’s area. His performance was rounded off with the fifth goal of the season and winning goal coming with twelve minutes remaining and an assist for Martin Skrtel’s goal after half an hour taking his assist tally to six this season surpassing his tally from last season.
The Brazilian has hit good form at the business end of the season, hoping to be apart of Luis Filipe Scolari’s World Cup team staked a claim for a place in his home country with his performance against Manchester City. Next up for Philippe Coutinho and league leaders Liverpool is Norwich City, which in the past is a happy hunting ground for the Red Men.