Liverpool probably should have been expecting Barcelona to come back in for Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window.The Spanish club were desperate to sign him in the summer but Liverpool refused to listen to any bids. However, it seems their stance has softened somewhat and the Brazilian has reportedly told the club he doesn’t want to play for them anymore.If Coutinho does leave in January - something that is looking increasingly likely - Liverpool will surely look to strengthen immediately.With the club sitting fourth in the Premier League, in the knockout stages of the Champions League and facing a Merseyside Derby in the FA Cup on Friday, they are about to enter a crucial stage of the season.Losing Coutinho and failing to replace him would be very foolish indeed.But who could Liverpool look to if Coutinho departs for Spain?Well, we’ve identified five players that have been linked with a move to Merseyside over the past months that could all attempt to fill the massive void left behind by the midfielder.
FIVE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS FOR COUTINHO
Manuel Lanzini - West Ham
Lanzini would be seen as a fairly underwhelming replacement for Coutinho but there is no denying the Argentine plays in a very similar way to Coutinho.
The 24-year-old can operate in midfield and his ability to dribble can see him create chances for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Some might argue he’s not the level required to play for Liverpool but, surrounded by quality players, he will surely thrive.
Thomas Lemar - Monaco
Lemar was caught in a bidding war between Liverpool and Arsenal on transfer deadline day in the summer but eventually stayed put at Monaco.
But according to journalist Duncan Castles, he has now ‘agreed to join’ Liverpool in January if a fee can be sorted.
The 22-year-old will cost a lot of money though - around £90 million.
Nabil Fekir - Lyon
There are plenty of Liverpool fans that want Fekir to replace Coutinho - and that’s hardly surprising.
The 24-year-old has scored 15 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for Lyon - including 13 in 16 in Ligue 1.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Fekir’s stats per game are also very similar to Coutinho’s.
Fekir averages two key passes per game, completes four successful dribbles, and rattles off an average of 3.2 shots per game. This is very similar to Coutinho, whose figures stand at 2.6 key passes, 3.4 dribbles and 2.8 shots.
Christian Pulisic - Borussia Dortmund
Liverpool were heavily linked with the American in the summer but Klopp’s former club insisted he wasn’t for sale.
But Dortmund are struggling this season having already been knocked out of the Champions League and trail Bayern Munich by 13 points in the Bundesliga.
While it will take a gigantic offer from Liverpool, there’s every chance that the 19-year-old might be tempted to join Klopp at Anfield.
The issue is the fact that Pulisic is more of a wide player but could easily fit into a fluid system with Salah, Mane and Firmino.
Dani Ceballos - Real Madrid
This would be a slightly surprising choice but one that would excite Liverpool fans.
Ceballos moved to Madrid in the summer following a £15 million move from Real Betis but has only played six times in the league this season. They are claims he’s unhappy at the Bernabeu with his lack of game-time.
The 21-year-old plays in a slightly deeper role than Coutinho but having been named the tournament’s best player at the Under 21 European Championships in the summer, there’s no doubt he’s a future star.