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Former Liverpool coach Pako Ayestarán believes Philippe Coutinho would be an ideal signing for Barcelona.
Ayestarán, who worked alongside Rafael Benítez as his assistant for 11 years at Valencia and Liverpool, also believes the Reds may sell if a large enough offer is tabled by the Catalan giants.
“Barca simply need a player like Coutinho, both tactically and for his quality. From a tactical point of view, I think he is a perfect fit,” said Ayestarán.
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“They have already lost Xavi while Andres Iniesta is already in the latter stages of his career so will play less, and they thereby don’t manage to control the ball in the middle of the pitch in the same way, or make it arrive for the forwards at the right pace. They have lost that.
“Coutinho can offer this, he ticks all the boxes, and especially those penetrating passes. He has sometimes been called ‘a highlights player’ but I think that’s wrong and unfair.
“Liverpool’s game last year was all about attackers alternating positions so much, and it was often down to Coutinho to choose the right tempo of the play. He is also probably a better positional player than a player on the break, as he gives the right angles for passing options, his body shape is good, and he always chooses the right option.
“Given what Liverpool have already rejected, they seem intent on keeping him. The question is whether Barca can offer enough to prise him away; to make it basic business sense for Liverpool to accept.”