Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho flourish in the absence of Suarez
When Liverpool’s top scorer Luis Suarez was found guilty and subsequently banned for the remainder of the season for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic a lot of the talk around Anfield was where would the goals come from without Suarez in the side. However the loss of Suarez hasn’t affected the Red’s all that much thanks to a lethal partnership which has been forged between two of Brendan Rodgers Winter signings Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.
The two were signed for a combined total of around £20 million which Liverpool fans must currently think is an absolute bargain. Since Sturridge signed from Chelsea in January he has made 15 appearances in all competitions scoring 11 times and making 5 assists. Coutinho joined shortly after despite initial fears about a niggling injury the Brazilian has shown his class and creativity making 6 assists in 12 games and also getting 2 goals himself.
One of the key things about the two players is that they have both slotted straight into Rodgers system of play for the Reds. They have formed a fantastic partnership which was on full show in Liverpool’s 6-0 demolition of Newcastle and also at Craven Cottage yesterday when Liverpool comfortably beat Fulham 3-1 courtesy of a Sturridge hat-trick.
They have formed a very good understanding showing some great link up play, where Coutinho seems to know exactly where Sturridge wants the ball to be played and he more often than not shows more than enough creative quality to execute the ball. With the service provided to him by the little Brazilian Sturridge has shown a devastating touch in front of goal with some very good finishes.
They have both been very impressive on Merseyside and they are still young with a lot of potential and Liverpool fans will be very hopeful that they can continue this good form into next season whether Suarez is still there or not.
There have been a lot of rumours that Luis Suarez could leave in the summer which would be most fans biggest worry as they do not want to lose a world class striker. However one piece of comfort Liverpool fans can take into the summer is that even if Suarez does indeed leave they have Sturridge and Coutinho who can step into his shoes and if he stays an attack that consistently includes all three is a mouth watering prospect for The Reds.
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