If Philippe Coutinho stays, Liverpool look like a real force... and playing Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette together will give Arsenal a real cutting edge - TACKLE KEOWN

  • Martin Keown answered YOUR questions in this week's Tackle Keown
  • On the agenda this week were Philippe Coutinho and Alexis Sanchez  
  • Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday in the Premier League 

Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown answered your questions as we look ahead to the weekend's action in the Premier League and across Europe.

Among the items on the agenda this week were the weekend's biggest game, as Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Scroll down below to read back through Martin's answers to your questions.


  • Martin Keown

    Host commentator

13:30
That's a wrap

That's all from Tackle Keown for this week.

Enjoy the weekend's football and be sure to join us at the same time next week.

Thanks, as ever, for reading.

13:26
Were you surprised by how Chelsea played at Wembley? Rosie in London

The key to their performance was Marcos Alonso. It is astonishing how Antonio Conte is getting these fantastic performances from him.

When Chelsea were losing against Burnley on the opening day, Alonso was the player who seemed most determined to drag his side back into the game.

Alonso was their driving force again at Wembley — he takes it upon himself to push his team forwards. When Chelsea got that free-kick you could see David Luiz step aside for Alonso — he knew his team-mate could hit it.

Last season he put in decent performances for Chelsea but now he is their matchwinner. On Sunday, Tottenham did not have a player who offered similar inspiration.

Marcos Alonson celebrates scoring Chelsea's winner at Wembley on Sunday
13:20
What do Spurs need before the transfer window shuts? Tom in London

This is the big question with Tottenham. The team are all doing well to a man but what do they need to take them to the next level?

There was plenty Mauricio Pochettino could be pleased with in their defeat by Chelsea. Mousa Dembele was impressive in midfield and Harry Kane was so tricky to handle.

What Pochettino needs is one or two players to come in and give them that extra 10 per cent. They could do with spending some money on a left back and more pace in the wide areas.

Spurs have lost Kyle Walker to City and Danny Rose to injury. Those two were such a potent weapon last season. Kieran Trippier is capable of bombing down the right hand side but Ben Davies cannot replicate the job of Rose.

They have also got to start winning at ‘home’ — even though it will be difficult for Wembley to feel any more than a neutral venue.

Chelsea have become a nemesis for Pochettino. During my career I was involved in several tussles with Manchester United. What matters as much as triumphing in those huge encounters is winning the games in between to put yourself in the best-possible shape for the big clashes.

Getting that all-important first victory at Wembley against Burnley on Sunday would put them on the right track.

Left wing back Danny Rose is currently out injured for Tottenham
13:13
Should more Premier League managers follow Ronald Koeman and play more young English players? Jack in Liverpool

Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino are not playing English players simply as a service to our national team. They are playing them because we have some genuinely exciting young talents.

I was very impressed with Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Everton against City on Monday night. He reminded me of Dele Alli — he put the fear of god into City’s defence.

John Stones and Vincent Kompany were panicking when Calvert-Lewin ran at them.

Both Everton and Liverpool are carrying a torch for young English players this season and it is great to see.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was impressive in Everton's 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Monday night
13:08
Would Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return to Manchester United make them into title favourites? Nick in Sheffield

I said City would win the Premier League before the start of the season and I am not veering from that prediction.

But what Ibrahimovic’s return would do is give United another psychological boost... and it would keep Lukaku on his toes.

United have two players for almost every position but not at central forward.

The move would show Mourinho genuinely cares about Ibrahimovic. He would be rewarding his remarkable recovery from injury.

Ibrahimovic has an inner strength. He has so much power and it looks like he has conquered the challenge of his first major injury.

United have started the season incredibly well and what has impressed me is how their substitutes are keen to join the party as quickly as possible after coming on.

A player like Anthony Martial would start in most other teams but United are able to deploy him as a weapon late in games!

Anthony Martial (second right) has been used as an impact sub by Jose Mourinho this season
12:58
Which English club is best-quipped to go furthest in the Champions League?

All things considered — the manager, the squads, experience in the competition and what I have seen so far of them this season — it boils down to Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

At the moment it looks like United are better equipped. Just look at their squad — they have 10 or 11 players who haven't even kicked a ball this season!

Mourinho will be relishing the Champions League as it will give him a chance to mix up his squad.

It is very healthy we have five teams in the draw. The quality of football in the Premier League is getting better all the time.

There is such pace in our teams now. Line up the front threes at United, City, Liverpool — there would be some seriously impressive runners in that race.

I'm looking forward to seeing whether the likes of Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane can shine in the Champions League and take that next step to becoming world stars.

Sadio Mane offers Liverpool blistering pace out wide
12:51
Do you think Coutinho will go to Barcelona? Martin in Gloucester

It all hinges on Coutinho’s relationship with Jurgen Klopp. If Liverpool have not lost the player emotionally and he still has a good relationship with the manager, then they have to keep him.

Surely no amount of money can be worth Liverpool sacrificing their chance to become a champion once more? The dream at Anfield must be to rekindle the glory days of the Eighties.

If Coutinho stays, Liverpool look like a real force. They have blistering pace in attack and the return of Coutinho and Adam Lallana would give them serious options.

I trust that Klopp has the experience to deal with this issue. His team will still put in effective performances while this sideshow is being played out.

The best solution may be to convince Coutinho to stay for the rest of the season and grant him a move to Spain in the summer.

Whatever happens, huge decisions will have to be taken once the Arsenal game is out of the way.

Barcelona have lodged a fourth bid worth £138million for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho
12:44
What’s your prediction for Liverpool v Arsenal? Jim in Southport

Both teams possess lightning pace in attack and the defences could be under real pressure. I cannot see Arsenal winning at Anfield — they have not won there since 2012 — so a draw would be a good result for them. I can see this ending 2-2.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side were impressive as they beat Hoffenheim 4-2 on Wednesday
12:38
How excited are you to see Sanchez and Lacazette up front for Arsenal? How much damage can they do?

They give Arsenal a real cutting edge.

Although his goal was narrowly chalked off for offside, I was impressed with how Lacazette dispatched his finish at Stoke.

It reminded me of how Ian Wright used to finish. Thierry Henry’s finishing was more graceful but Wright was like a marksman.

Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are big, loping centre halves and Sanchez and Lacazette can cause them some real damage with their pace at Anfield on Sunday.

Alexandre Lacazette (pictured) will be joined up front by Sanchez for the first time
12:30
How much of a lift does Alexis Sanchez give Arsenal this weekend? Dave in Edmonton

Arsenal need Sanchez back in the team — he is their key player.

Sanchez is Arsenal’s first line of defence. He presses from the front and as soon as the opposition defenders have the ball Sanchez is straight down your throat.

One the main problems for Arsenal at Stoke last week was that Mesut Ozil did not want to close down with the other forwards.

It is very easy for Ozil to just try to be creative. If you are never pressing, you do not have to rebalance yourself when you get in possession.

Sanchez does both sides of the game very well. Arsenal need that in their team — and Sanchez will be urging Ozil to press with him.

Alexandre Lacazette and Sanchez will run off the ball for Ozil when he has the ball and they need him to do the same for them.

Alexis Sanchez on the Wembley pitch at Arsenal's Community Shield win