Former Liverpool player and football predictor extraordinaire Mark Lawrenson says that Philippe Coutinho is becoming a problem for Liverpool.

In his column for the Liverpool Echo, Lawro claims that Coutinho is far off the level required for reported Barcelona interest to come to fruition, criticising the Brazilian’s performances and attitudes. That seems more than a little harsh, given the responsibilities piled on Coutinho towards the end of Brendan Rodgers’ tenure.

‘Klopp has probably looked at Coutinho’s performances over the last few months and thought ‘”I keep reading about what a player you are, but I’m not really seeing it,”‘ Lawrenson wrote. ‘That inability to grab a game by the scruff of the neck has been a problem all season. I don’t think Coutinho is giving the team enough. ‘As for this talk of a possible move away from Anfield, Coutinho needs a bit of a reality check. He ain’t going to Barcelona or Real Madrid any time soon. ‘He’s in danger of becoming something of a one-trick pony. Stepover from the left, cut inside and have a shot. Stepover from the left, cut inside and have a shot. And so on.

Lawrenson even suggested that Coutinho could be dropped soon, which would be a pretty bold move from Klopp:

‘Liverpool are overly-blessed with potential number 10s – Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and even James Milner would fancy a run in the position – so Klopp could be left with a decision to make if Coutinho doesn’t get his finger out soon.’