Liverpool Fan View: Three potential signings who could replace Philippe Coutinho

Thomas Lemar

Liverpool were linked with a move to sign Thomas Lemar in the summer. The France international was the subject of a £92m offer from Arsenal on deadline day. According to reports, Lemar preferred a move to Anfield. WellD that particular claim could be tested in the January transfer window. While it doesn’t make sense for Barcelona to sign Coutinho this month given the attacker is cup tied, the Spanish side could feel their best chance to land the Brazilian is now. Lemar hasn’t hit the same heights as the 2016-17 season. Perhaps that isn’t too surprising. Monaco sold Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko in the summer. The Ligue 1 champions are a shell of the team that won the title in swashbuckling style. Lemar netted 12 times and made 14 assists in 49 games in all competitions last season. At 22, the France starlet has the talent to develop under Jurgen Klopp.

Alexis Sanchez

Liverpool missed out on Alexis Sanchez in 2014 when the Chile international opted to move to Arsenal ahead of a switch to Anfield. The South American has been a big hit at the Emirates Stadium since his £35m switch. On paper, Sanchez made the right choice having won two FA Cup titles at the Gunners. But Liverpool are on an upward curve under one of Europe’s best managers. Sanchez would be a ready-made replacement for Coutinho in terms of being part of a front three, not a midfield three. The Arsenal number seven has scored 80 times in 163 games in all competitions – that’s six goals more in 37 games fewer. Sanchez will be available on a free transfer in the summer when his Arsenal contract expires. Liverpool would presumably be competing with Manchester City for Sanchez’s signature. The Reds managed to pull off a transfer coup with the addition of Virgil van Dijk. Klopp would need to use his powers of persuasion to convince Sanchez a move to Anfield would be better for his career rather than a switch to the Premier League leaders.

Luis Suarez

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has been a big advocate of the Reds attempting to involve Luis Suarez as part of a deal that would see Coutinho finally move to Barcelona. While the Uruguay international has been accused of allowing his standards to slip, the 30-year-old has still scored 10 times in 14 games in La Liga. Suarez has netted 131 times in 169 games since his £65m move to Barcelona from Liverpool in 2014. Like Sanchez, Suarez would be a replacement for Coutinho in terms of filling a position in the front three. Klopp has the squad depth to use Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Emre Can in a deeper role in midfield, where Coutinho has often played this season. However, the addition of Suarez could disrupt Roberto Firmino, who is having his best season at Anfield.