Liverpool reaping benefits of life after Coutinho

As Liverpool place one foot into the final of the Champions League, they do so around 150lbs lighter and £150m better off as a liberated squad look better than ever after Phillipe Coutinho left for the shores of Barcelona.

The Reds, still coming to terms with what may be their biggest victory of the season have done so in style after sweeping aside AS Roma 5-2 thanks to goals from Mohammad Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

A scenario that a couple of months ago looked a world away is now a reality with Jürgen Klopp's men just one win away from meeting either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Kiev.

However, one man may have regretted his search for success by leaving Anfield earlier this year, as Coutinho, a man who the Merseyside club once relied so heavily on  - is now a forgotten figure, a mere footnote in the history of the club on the verge of creating a dynasty.

Liverpool racked up 20 victories in 33 games in all competitions prior to Coutinho's exit scoring 77 goals, conceding 39 goals while following his transfer The Redmen have won 13 of 19 games bagging 47 along the way while conceding 16.

This works out as 2.3 goals scored per game before Coutinho and achieving 2.4 goals in his absence, while the defence would concede an average of 1.1 goals per game with the former talisman while the defensive stats have remained similar.

The form of Liverpool's have eased what looked like being a rough break up, despite the £150m fee, with the recruitment of Virgil Van Dijk just one of the benefits of the former No.10 easing the budget at Anfield.

The Dutch defender, an £80m signing from Southampton in January has, a 72.4% aerial duel success rate, outperforming PFA players of the year Jan Vertonghen and Nicholas Otamendi.

However it is the forward line that has amassed worldwide plaudits, with a free flowing attack and a solid midfield line, The Reds look like a solid team that has achieved a sense of balance that one looked to be built on poor foundations.

A captain's role

Captaining one of Britain's greatest clubs is no easy feat and Jordan Henderson was a man many deemed un up to the task but the Liverpool leader is playing his best football, with much of this down to Coutinho's exit.

Following the Brazillian's relocation to the Nou Camp, a major area of the pitch become available in Klopp's XI and a man who was once criticised for his lack of forward play has shown his ability to create much more from deep.

The captain has demonstrated his ability to maintain stable defensive play while unleashing the forward line of Salah, Firmino and Mane, while also feeding Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gini Wijnaldum who burst forward from the middle of the park.

Henderson's subtle play will often go unnoticed but much of his contribution has been vital in Liverpool turning a corner in 2018, with the former Sunderland man proving doubters wrong.

Rhian Brewster: Ready for the First Team?

With a first team front three of Mohammad Salah, Roberto Firmino firing in over 50-goals in their domestic outings, chances for the younger generation have been hard to come by at Liverpool.

Rhian Brewster has gained an impressive reputation at The Reds for his neat finishing and explosive pace while his record on the International Youth level points to a significant talent for years to come.

Having bagged 20 goals in 22 appearance for the World Cup winning U/17 Three Lions squad, the 18-year-old attracted attention from all of the major clubs but his season has since come to a traumatic end.

Brewster was ruled out for the remainder of the 2018 term after receiving oxygen during a u/23 fixture against Manchester City in January and as a result was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and ligament damage.

However, the youngster has left a lasting impression on Jürgen Klopp and co. with the player set to become a sporadic performer in the first-team squad next season.

With the German manager keen to 'promote from within' it seems that Brewster could play an integral part in the front line next season.

Rumours of a mega spending spree have circulated since January with reports of Timo Werner, Luan Vieira, and Thomas Lemar all linked with a move to Anfield, but the promotion of a youngster would be a much less costly addition.

Ushered out the door

Sturridge's Anfield career be at  an end? (image: elsport.com)

While the news of Brewster's expected push will come as a positive for him, it will come as a signal of sorrow for Daniel Sturridge - whose Anfield career may be about to come to an end.

A drastic loan move to West Brom was seen as a last roll of the dice to make the World Cup this summer but another setback looks to have ruled out hope for injury prone striker.

Also, with the current front three having embraced the Klopp way of playing, the chances of the former Manchester City and Chelsea forward disrupting the current status quo look slim to none.

With just three goals to his name this season, he is a shadow of the striker who alongside Luis Suarez bagged 23 goals for The Reds in the 2013/14 season but he has failed to replicate his stunning form since.

Oh Danny Boy

Ings has managed to forge a career on Merseyside Image:  (thisisanfield)

Despite the constant reports, Danny Ings has established himself at Liverpool as fourth choice forward having impressed Klopp with his attitude and character to prove himself on Merseyside.

Summer and January rumours linked the 25-year-old with a move to Rafa Benitez's Newcastle with fears his best times were behind him following an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Ings however has shown heart to continue fighting for a place in the German's side and has featured eight times in the first team this season which considering the form of Salah, Firmino and Mane is a feat in itself.

The striker may have a career at Anfield as long as he wants it but it is unlikely he will ever become a regular starter in the side.