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Philippe Coutinho is a good footballer; at times, spectacular.

He floats across the pitch, his neck upright and eyes on stilts, always searching for space to pass the ball into. In the modern game, his every inch – 68, in total – is that of a modern midfielder, one who can play deeper, beat his midfield opponent and open up the pitch in front of him.

Against Everton in January, he did it to set up Daniel Sturridge's first of the game. Ten days later, he did it again - this time against Arsenal – intercepting a loose pass deep in the Liverpool half, driving forward and caressing a ball into the path of Sturridge.

It was as if string attached toe with ball and Coutinho delighted in sending it out and reeling it in. Borderline masochism.

So what's happened? Coutinho appears to have become softer. His passes are less accurate and defences no longer split with the wave of his instep. The string between foot and ball is strained, if not entirely severed.

In the permanent absence of Luis Suarez, much was expected of the Brazilian this season – particularly after assuming the role of human highlight reel during pre-season. He was tigerish and terrific, offering comfort to those who worried about the departure of Liverpool's number 7.

Two caveats remain. Coutinho's good performances in pre-season were never a guarantee of a good showing once August came; likewise, the current season is just five games in, and any judgement should not be without disclaiming it's still too early to consign him to purgatory.

But still, this has not been the start expected of Coutinho. Brendan Rodgers has substituted him in three of his first four games – including 68 minutes in against Ludogorets Razgrad - and didn't use him against Tottenham.

Last season, Coutinho's number being called for a substitution would have initiated meltdown on the Kop. On Tuesday night, his shuffle off was accompanied by acknowledgement that something had to change. That something, ultimately, was the personnel and formation.

A brief glimpse at his productivity, even after three league games, highlights his troubles. An average of one chance created per game is not bad by normal standards, but he was averaging nearly two last season; similarly, he is dribbling past players less (1 v 1.8), taking fewer shots (2.3 v 2.8) and losing possession easier than last term (2.3 v 1).

Coutinho - Successful long/through balls

Most worryingly, he was successful in 58% of his attempted dribbles past opponents in the league last season – 59 out of 102 attempts – but this season he has only managed a 30% success rate.

Circumstance hasn't helped. Coutinho is the one constant in a front four that is constantly changing, even if his role has altered. Whether on the left of the front three, off the front man or in a midfield three alongside Jordan Henderson, Coutinho has already had to supply two different strikers and has played alongside three new attacking signings.

That synergy is missing. The attack, disjointed. It inevitably impacts on Coutinho.

Upon receiving the ball last season, he would know what Suarez and Sturridge would do; now, he must learn how is best to create for Mario Balotelli,Adam Lallana,Lazar Markovic and Rickie Lambert.

In the pre-season tour of the US, he looked to have cracked the equation with Sterling – movement plus Coutinho equals goals – but they are two players in a front-line still adjusting to a summer of change.

After 45 minutes on Tuesday, Coutinho had made the most passes in the Liverpool side (39), with Sterling making the joint fewest (8). That shows too much expected of one young player, and possibly not enough on another. The balance is still to be struck in the front six.

The opposition's approach has also made life more difficult for the Brazilian this season. It is no coincidence his best performances as a Liverpool player have come against teams who play a higher line. Remember Newcastle and Fulham from his first half-season and the ease he found Sturridge; remember those two telling passes against Everton and Arsenal, and how there were plenty more of that ilk.

Southampton and Aston Villa were not so forthcoming. Ludogorets, while adventurous, also knew how to put bodies behind the ball. Only Tottenham opted for a high line, and he remained on the bench for 90 minutes. His average passing distance is already two metres shorter than last season, demonstrating how he is operating in a much tighter, narrower space than last season.

Perhaps frustration has played a part. Against the Bulgarian side, 73.2% of his passes went forward – a marked increase from his 63.3% average in his three league games – exhibiting his desperation to make a vital contribution. He would receive the ball deep, give that flick of the head and then give away possession.

His overall accuracy when threading balls through has been markedly worse this season too, his efforts sometimes akin to shoving a grizzly bear through a letterbox – he has failed to complete a through ball or long ball this season, he managed over two a game last season.

Chances created 2013/14 Chances created 2013/14

But in all this, the constant reminder: Philippe Coutinho is a good footballer; at times, spectacular.

If nothing else, he has showed bravery this season; even in the knowledge his balls are not flying towards feet as often, he has continued to probe, continued to search for the telling pass. It was a pass that was needed against Southampton, Aston Villa and Ludogorets; it is a pass that will, eventually, come off.

Even in a 68-minute struggle in the Champions League, he almost helped bring the Reds the opener, his contribution coming with quick passing and clever movement – a staple of last season's success. He received the ball in a pocket of space from Sterling, shifted it to Henderson in one movement; Henderson should have shot; Lallana, recipient of the midfielder's pass, should have scored.

When a number of new signings come to a club, it is often forgotten how it isn't just the arrivals who need to adapt, but those who play around him. Against Villa and Ludogorets, Coutinho was without the two players he'd supplied for the first 18 months of his Liverpool career. Sturridge will return; Suarez will not.

There is also the theory Rodgers must allow Coutinho to fully excel in one particular position, whether that's alongside Henderson in an energetic central midfield two, on the left-hand side or as a traditional number 10.

He created 57 chances last season and assisted seven goals – although, admittedly, just three were from open play. He also put in fantastic showings against Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City last season – one of the big game players in a season of massive games.

Patience from the supporters may be the key as he adapts to his new team-mates. Strangely enough, patience in possession and decision-making are the attributes which may keep him in the first-team for the rest of the season - and help the midfield maestro get back on-song.

