Stats show Philippe Coutinho is EPL’s Player of the Season (so far)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool scores their fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Hull City at Anfield on September 24, 2016 in Liverpool, England. 

Philippe Coutinho is stealing the Premier League spotlight, in a 2016-17 season stacked with some of football’s top names.

The 24-year-old has been in inspired form for Liverpool this season and exclusive stats revealed by fantasy football game oulala.com show that the Reds winger is ‘statistically’ the best player in the English top-flight after the opening seven games.

The Brazilian has been vital to five wins which see Jurgen Klopp’s side sitting fourth on the table. He has recorded three goals from seven appearances – including a brace in the opening game against Arsenal and a goal against Hull, while also proving assists in the 5-1 demolition of the Tigers and against Chelsea.

A total of 29 shots has Coutinho sitting second in terms of total attempts, while he is also inside the league’s top 10 in terms of successful take-ons.

The Brazilian ranks 11th for both key passes and created chances for teammates, illustrating just how vital he is to the Reds’ hopes of scoring goals.

Will Coutinho’s form continue to lead Liverpool to the summit of English football?

Ray Parlour: It's not rocket science, Lacazette and a defender could be the difference in Arsenal's title challenge

The forwards Arsenal have scouted ahead of the transfer window

Arsene Wenger doesn’t need a rocket scientist to work out where their priorities in the remaining week of the transfer market should be, according to Arsenal legend Ray Parlour.

However the ‘Romford Pele’ has warned his former manager that even bringing in the centre-back and striker the club need may not be enough to secure a first Premier League title since 2004 as the top flight’s financial arms race grows ever more fierce.

Both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool have made significant moves in the transfer window since May, when Arsenal announced the £35million signing of Granit Xhaka. At the Emirates progress has been rather more sedate, with young centre-back Rob Holding and Japanese forward Takuma Asano the only arrivals over the past few weeks.

Just four days before their season begins and the need for a centre-back has become all the more pressing, with pre-season injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel leaving Wenger with just one senior centre-back. It is a problem that Parlour believes must be addressed swiftly.

“It’s not rocket science for Wenger,” Parlour told Standard Sport.“The midfield looks really strong but they don’t have those options at the back.

“Holding’s come in and done well, I know for a fact that the coaches are really pleased with. But he’s still a young lad, you can’t rely on him. Calum Chambers, again, he might play at the weekend but he needs experienced players to learn from.

“Laurent Koscielny will be back very soon but with Mertesacker and Gabriel being out for a while it’s vital they get someone in now.

“And there’s been lots of reports about Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi, Alexandre Lacazette at Lyon – someone of that quality could be the difference. The midfield creates chances; they just need another striker who can finish them off.”

Arsenal are in the market in both positions but are not expected to bring in either of their leading targets, Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and Lacazette, before the deadline for registering players for their first game of the season at home to Liverpool. Any new signing would have to be completed by midday on Friday.

In spite of the relatively glacial pace at which Arsenal’s transfer business has moved in recent weeks Arsene Wenger has been keen to remind his critics that only one side outperformed him last season.

And Parlour believes that whether or not Arsenal do bring in the big-money signings that their fans demand may not dictate whether they find themselves as champions in May, if they can take inspiration from Leicester.

He added: “Some new arrivals would certainly give them a chance, but would two signings be enough? I don’t know. It’s so wide open.

“They have to believe they can win it, I’m sure Arsene Wenger told them on the first day of pre-season, ‘you have to believe’.

“Leicester have opened the league’s eyes. Yes they had a bit of luck along the way but they showed to any other club that it can be done. Of course Arsenal have a chance if Leicester do.”

Philippe Coutinho to PSG: Liverpool star gives ‘positive’ reaction after contact from Ligue 1 champions over £46m move

Reports in France say PSG have made Brazilian a top target

PHILIPPE COUTINHO reacted ‘positively’ when informed about a possible move by Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports in France.

The Liverpool forward, voted the club’s fans and players’ player of the year twice in a row, had another fantastic season for the Reds.

However, French magazine Le 10 Sport report that Coutinho is seen as an excellent option to replace departing talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Philippe Coutinho is wanted by PSG, according to reports in France PA:Press Association

The Brazilian has been named the club's player of the year for the last two seasons AP:Associated Press

With the Swede set to leave the Parc des Princes this summer, PSG are searching for a marquee signing.

Coutinho is one of a handful of names identified as a potential replacement for thr 34-year-old striker.

Manchester United’s Anthony Martial, Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku have all been mentioned as being on a shortlist to replace Ibrahimovic.

The report claims that PSG have already made contact with Coutinho’s entourage and received a ‘positive’ response.

The 23-year-old wants to play Champions League football but Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to secure a place in Europe’s top competition last season.

Philippe Coutinho will play at the Copa America with Brazil AP:Associated Press

PSG are looking for a marquee signing to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic

PSG have also apparently said they would be willing to pay around £46million to bring Coutinho to France.

One potential hiccup is that the Ligue 1 champions have already used up all three of the non-EU slots in their squad.

That would mean one of Maxwell or Lucas Moura would have to leave first.

Brazil Squad Confirmed: Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino Called Up, Gabriel Paulista Misses Out

The Liverpool duo of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have made it to the Brazil squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers. 

Brazil coach Dunga has confirmed his squad that will take on Copa America champions Chile and Venezuela in the World Cup qualifiers on 9th and 14th of October, respectively.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has been left out of the squad that played against United States and Costa Rica in friendly fixtures last month. The Paris Saint-Germain duo David Luiz and Marquinhos have found favour with Dunga, with new Inter signing Miranda also finding a place in the squad.

The Liverpool duo of Firmino and Coutinho have found a place in the Brazil team, with Manchester City’s Fernandinho and Chelsea’s Willian and Oscar have also been included in Dunga’s squad. 
 

PSG’s Lucas, Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Hulk and Bayern Munich’s summer signing Douglas Costa form the attacking force of the Brazil squad, which will look to start well in their journey towards Russia 2018.

Brazil Squad vs Chile and Venezuela

Goalkeepers: Jefferson, Marcelo Grohe, Alisson
Defenders: David Luiz, Miranda, Marquinhos, Gil
Full-backs: Fabinho, Rafinha, Felipe Luis, Marcelo
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho, Elias, Renato Augusto, Lucas Lima, Oscar, Willian, Philippe Coutinho
Attackers: Roberto Firmino, Hulk, Lucas, Douglas Costa