Philippe Coutinho is still a Liverpool player, and will remain one until Barcelona provide a bid Liverpool deem good enough to part with their brilliant Brazilian.

But that still hasn’t stopped speculation over his replacement already. Thomas Lemar was wanted by Liverpool in August, but a deal could not be agreed with Monaco in the final days of the transfer window.

Though the Frenchman was never intended as a direct replacement for Coutinho who, at that point, was told he would not be leaving Anfield in the summer, Lemar would have ultimately proven the man to fill the gap left by the Brazilian.

While Lemar remains on Liverpool’s radar, the question of who could replace Coutinho – if he was to depart the club, either this month or in the summer – persists.

To consider Coutinho’s departure without a proper plan to replace him would be asinine. The issue, perhaps, is just how he is replaced.

There is no direct or obvious way, or player, to fill the South American’s stardust boots. Under Jurgen Klopp, he has played as both a midfielder and forward; as both a wide man moving in-field and a central man moving wide.

That means there will be options aplenty for the Reds, however.

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If Liverpool were to sell Coutinho to Barcelona this summer, they will have huge funds to soften the blow.

Here are some players that money could be spent on...

The obvious option – Thomas Lemar (Monaco)

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Liverpool wanted Lemar in August, even having medical staff waiting to fly to Paris on deadline day to conduct a medical if a deal could be struck with Monaco.

Having sold a number of their top stars already that summer, however, the Ligue 1 champions were reluctant to part with the 22-year-old.

The French international feels a natural replacement for Coutinho in substance, if not style. He can play both wide and central, possession more pace than the Brazilian but not quite as much creativity.

Yet at just 22, there is scope for him to improve his game, with Klopp capable of doing that.

The former target – Julian Draxler (PSG)

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Touted as one of Europe’s hottest properties at Wolfsburg, the German international was wanted by Liverpool last January as they eyed reinforcements in attacking positions.

Draxler opted for the French capital instead but has been linked with a move away just 12 months on, having failed to fully launch his career with PSG, completing 90 minutes in just three league games this season.

He would remain a player capable of working with the Reds’ current attacking line-up, operating wide or central, although the 24-year-old would have to improve his goalscoring.

The outrageous attempt – Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

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Having tried sign him in 2014, only to be beaten to his signature by Arsenal, another move for the Chilean superstar would be audacious.

He would not fit in with the ‘profile’ Klopp and FSG look to work with, but he is available for a cut-price fee this January with just six months remaining on his contract at the Emirates.

Though he is not as versatile as Coutinho – unable to play in the no 8 role – he is undoubted quality and would further adorn a fearsome front line at Anfield.

The wide man – Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid)

The Belgian’s career has weirdly stagnated in the Spanish capital after making 53 appearances under Diego Simeone last season.

But after suffering a knee injury in October, the 24-year-old has found it difficult to regain his place in a thriving Atletico side, making just four league appearances – all off the substitutes’ bench.

Though he is primarily a winger – able to play both sides, but predominately left – Carrasco has also spent time in a central position and could be revitalised with a move to Anfield.

The Premier League proven – Manuel Lanzini (West Ham)

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Though Wilfried Zaha and Riyad Mahrez are arguably the two best players outside the Premier League top six, Lanzini is possibly the one who possesses the most Coutinho-like qualities.

Skilful in possession and with the ability to float between the lines, the Argentine was West Ham’s best performer in the past two seasons.

But the 24-year-old looks as if he needs a move, a step up in class perhaps, and Liverpool could provide him with that. His pedigree suggests he could improve even further alongside better players.

The Bundesliga star – Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)

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America’s next big hope has quickly become their one true hope, full stop. At just 19, he is regarded as one of the most exciting young players in Europe, and has already scored nine international goals for the United States.

Klopp is a keen admirer but Borussia Dortmund insisted he was not for sale. After his development has continued, it would take a fearsome bid to prise him from Klopp’s former club.

But BVB are in transition, having sacked Peter Bosz and appointed Peter Stoger until the end of the season. Liverpool are now in a position of strength over Dortmund.

Pulisic would not directly do what Coutinho does – he is a wide player – but would compliment Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino superbly.

The statistical option – Nabil Fekir (Lyon)

Fekir has already earned several admirers with his performances for Lyon, including Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

It is clear to see why the 24-year-old is being linked with a move out of France, and statistically he possesses a profile similar to Liverpool’s magician.

He has scored 13 goals in 16 league games this season – a remarkable rate in that division – as well as two Europa League strikes, one of those against Everton.

The French international also averages two key passes per game, completes four successful dribbles, and rattles off an average of 3.2 shots per game. This isn’t too different to Coutinho, whose figures stand at 2.6 key passes, 3.4 dribbles and 2.8 shots.

Similar in style and similar in figures, perhaps Fekir is the man to fill his boots.