Our creators.....
Just curious to see who steps up to fill the obvious gap we have now in games where it takes a bit of creativity to unearth a goal or assist. I really dont have a reference to work from in regards to the likes of Coutinho, Lallana, Ox, etc but its these stats (the assist to the assist) that leads to our goalscorers. It will be an interesting one to keep a watch on now as the stat men can have a field day comparing 2017/18 season, before and after Coutinho.
Aye, the creative side will be interesting to watch. Whether or not Lallana/Ox/AN Other can step into the void left by Coutinho could go a long way towards determining the success, or otherwise, of this season. I've got a feeling someone will step up to the plate, but even if they do I don't think they'll be as effective as Coutinho was at creating chances for our forwards.
He seemed to have gotten particularly good at those little lofted balls over the defence over the past couple of seasons, although that may also have come as a result of having speedy wide forwards like Mane, and now Salah especially, to make runs off the backs of defenders. I don't see either Lallana or AOC as being as capable in that department and it wouldn't surprise me to see Salah's goalscoring rate drop a bit - he and Phil seemed to be building up a real understanding.
Hopefully we can find a way of making up for it in other ways, but that for me is one of the biggest worries I have about the loss of Coutinho. Time will tell.
