Philippe Coutinho joining Barcelona isn’t the worst thing for Liverpool… the stats suggest the Reds are better off without him
Jurgen Klopp and Co performed better with their "Little Magician" not featuring in the Premier League last season
LIVERPOOL fans have been forced to watch on in horror as the continuing transfer saga surrounding Philippe Coutinho has raged on.
On, off, on again, off again, Reds fans can barely draw breath, with things coming to a head on Friday.
Firstly, Liverpool bosses released a statement saying he will remain at Anfield for the 2017-18 season.
NOT PICKED YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM YET? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
The Reds claimed: “We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho.
“The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes.”
However, just hours later, the player himself stunned the Kop faithful - who were finally starting to relax - by handing in a transfer request.
While Liverpool bosses and fans alike panic with their Premier League curtain-raiser against Watford less than 24 hours away, know this: It's not all doom and gloom.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
After all, Liverpool are actually better off WITHOUT him... according to the statistics anyway.
Through the 2016-17 season that saw the Reds finally break back into the Champions League, Coutinho started 28 times.
Klopp's men won 16 of those games, losing a further five for a respectable win percentage of 57.1.
However, without the Brazilian in the starting XI, the Reds won six and lost just ONE of their ten games for a win-rate of 60 per cent.
On top of that, Liverpool scored more goals without Coutinho at 2.3 per game on average, compared to just two per outing with him in the line-up.
Overall, the Anfield side earned 2.1 points per game without Coutinho, compared to just 2 points per game with him.
While it will be a devastating blow to lose a player of the Brazil star's calibre, the Reds can take solace in the statistics.
Liverpool will also make a healthy profit on Coutinho should Barcelona bid around the £100million mark as reported.
After all, the attacking midfielder only cost the Reds £8.5m back in January 2013...
Have you signed up to play fantasy football yet?
If the answer is no you need to take a long, hard look at yourself.
Because the Dream Team game – the UK’s biggest fantasy football game – is back and better than ever this season.
You’ve got a £50m budget to pick 11 players, with all the biggest new signings ready and raring to go ahead of a mouthwatering new Premier League campaign.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to play now!