BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona shelled out a club record €160 million (S$250 million) to prise Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, yet one year on from his signing, the Brazilian is struggling to get a game while his former side are thriving in his absence.
Coutinho, the third most expensive player in the world behind Paris St Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, made a flying start to his Barcelona career with 10 goals in his first five months, giving the team a more direct outlet in midfield and an extra threat with his impressive long-range shooting.
But his impact has waned. He has failed to start any of the La Liga leaders' last three league games, falling behind Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal and French forward Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order.
Coach Ernesto Valverde has stopped short of publicly criticising the player, and neglected to say whether he had a preference for Coutinho or Dembele, the club's second most expensive acquisition at 105 million euros.
"It's a long way from being a problem having them both. It's an advantage," Valverde said last month.
"The coach is pro-Barca, he wants the team to win."
Valverde's recent team selections, however, may offer a clue to his thinking.
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There was no place for Coutinho when Valverde fielded an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation in the recent 5-0 hammering of Levante, while he also left the Brazilian out when playing his usual 4-3-3 shape in victories over Espanyol and Celta Vigo.
The coach did pick Coutinho for a visit to Rayo Vallecano in November, but when he saw his side losing 2-1 at one of the weakest teams in the top flight, he hauled off the Brazilian and later brought on Dembele, who scored as Barca pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory.
In the last three league outings, Valverde has continued to show faith in Dembele, despite the French youngster running into trouble for turning up late to training.
With the lightning quick forward forming a blistering attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and the highly-experienced Vidal slotting comfortably into the midfield three, Coutinho has been forced to make do with cameo appearances from the bench.
It is quite the fall from grace for a player many believed was signed as the long-term successor to Andres Iniesta, who ended 16 trophy-laden seasons with Barca last May to see out his career in Japan.
With Liverpool sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League, Coutinho may be wondering on Sunday's anniversary of his transfer from Anfield to the Nou Camp whether it was quite the dream move he had imagined at the time.
Sergio Aguero's hat-trick led Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday and back into second place in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool. The victory put the pressure on Liverpool ahead off their trip to West Ham United on Monday.
Aguero hat-trick fires Man City to 3-1 win over Arsenal
PFA calls for instant action to combat racism in football calling for stronger sanctions across the world football for cases of racial abuse. plan to help stamp out racial abuse: "1
Kick It Out calls for action after Ashley Young is targeted
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse If more proof were needed of how unpredictable the Premier League can be it was provided on Wednesday as Liverpool blew a chance take a vice-like grip on the title race and Chelsea suffered their worst league defeat in 23 years.
Football: Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse
Leicester Welcome Rodgers With Win, Newcastle End Burnley Run. League round of 32 second leg football match between Valencia CF and Celtic at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on February 21
Leicester welcome Rodgers with win, Newcastle end Burnley run
Everton's hopes of finishing in seventh and a potential Europa League qualification spot suffered a blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on
Crystal Palace vs. Everton - Football Match Report - April 27
global.espn.com/football/report?gameId=513484
Get a report of the Crystal Palace vs. Everton 2018/2019 English Premier League football match. Skip to navigation < > Everton held to goalless draw at Palace.
Everton held to goalless draw at Palace - sport.co.uk
Watch Chicago Cubs on Apple Devices (iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad) To watch Chicago Cubs games live on your Apple device download the MLB At Bat iPhone app and MLB At Bat iPad app then sign up for MLB.TV. MLB At Bat features a MLB.TV Free Game of the Day, and in-Game Highlights.
How to Watch The Chicago Cubs Live Without Cable in 2019
Rescuers ended their search on Thursday for the plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was little
Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals. Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Newport County AFC v Manchester City - Rodney Parade, Newport, Britain - February 16, 2019
Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals
Arsenal face an uphill battle to progress in the Europa League after a 1-0 defeat by BATE Borisov in the last-32 first leg which saw Alexandre Lacazette sent off on Thursday.
Arsenal beaten by BATE as Lacazette sent off - msn.com
May 27, 2019 · Aston Villa in Premier League heaven with Wembley play-off win over Derby has masterminded their return to the Premier League. to score twice at Elland Road in the semi-final second leg
Aston Villa vs. Derby County - Football Match Stats - espn.com
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Manchester United's interim manager, putting the ball in the court of the Old Trafford board. The team are also unbeaten in the league under him, with 14 wins in 17 games in all competitions. He added: "I am not here to get excited, I am here to do my job. I love managing these boys and I love working here.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refuses to give up on the Top Four after
Bale Bale penalty kick gives below-par Real Madrid win at Levante. Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a penalty kick to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday.
Bale penalty gives below-par Real Liga win - Nine Wide World
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