Coutinho absence a test of squad depth

by Dave Usher for ESPN

Liverpool were left reeling this week with the news that key playmaker Philippe Coutinho would miss the next six weeks due to the shoulder injury that forced him off during Monday night's 2-2 with Swansea.

The blow will be cushioned considerably with the impending return of Luis Suarez, but it's still something the Reds could have done without, particularly having already lost Glen Johnson for the next few weeks too.

Coutinho hasn't quite been at his dazzling best so far this season, but the negative effect his departure had on Liverpool's performance at the Liberty Stadium was clear for all to see. With Coutinho on the field, his team-mates always had an option when in possession, as the little Brazilian was floating around the field constantly looking for the ball and linking the play, keeping things ticking over. He may not have been as spectacular as we have come to expect, but he was effective and his absence was keenly felt as Swansea took control of the game and Liverpool suddenly found it difficult to get out of their own half.

There were other factors in that too, notably Daniel Sturridge and Victor Moses running out of gas and Iago Aspas once again struggling to make any kind of impression on the game. But, undoubtedly, Coutinho's departure hurt Liverpool and will continue to do so until he is fit to return.

Read the full article here.