Paul Ince believes the loss of Philippe Coutinho was the “best thing that could happen” to Liverpool. Coutinho, 26, had established himself as a key figure at Anfield before sealing a £142 million move to Barcelona in January. Eyebrows were raised at Liverpool's decision to sanction the sale of Coutinho midway through the 2017/18 campaign with no replacement signed at the time. However, the Reds managed to seal a Champions League final berth and a top-four Premier League finish without the Brazil star and Ince believes his old side benefitted from his departure. "Coutinho was the one that everyone thought when he has gone, that it is it, [they are finished]," Ince told Goal. "I don’t know whether Klopp felt the same, but I felt that losing Coutinho was the best thing that could happen for Liverpool because they were so dependent on Coutinho, everyone was talking about Coutinho. "Once he left it was then time for the players to step up and say 'well now we have got responsibility'. It is not a one-man team as everyone was saying. We will show that it is not. Getting Salah in was amazing business. That was the best business ever getting Salah in. I used to watch him play for Roma last year with Dzeko and he was amazing. "I can’t believe Liverpool were the only ones in for him [Salah]. That was a great bit of business.” Ince, who played for Liverpool between 1997 and 1999, has hailed the arrivals of Naby Keita and Fabinho but equally says Emre Can's departure is a blow for the club. The 50-year-old believes the Merseysiders still need to make a few more additions in the summer transfer window, particularly in goal and up front. Ince: Losing Coutinho was best thing to happen to Liverpool Was losing Philippe Coutinho the best thing that could have happened to Liverpool? Paul Ince thinks so and the former Reds midfielder also expects Jurgen Klopp's men to challenge for major honours again in 2018/19. (Paddy Power) Posted by Goal.com on Sunday, 17 June 2018 He continued: “Getting Keita in from Leipzig, top player. Fabinho, yes, I like him. I think they have done a good bit of business. I think they have to replace Can, it is a shame that he has gone. "I like him as a player, I think he has all the components that you want from a midfield player. He is strong, can get it down and can past. I think they will get a goalkeeper in. Irrespective of what happened in the Champions League. I am not going down that road but I think they need another goalkeeper. "He has not been sure all season, whether it is Karius or Mignolet. I think he will wanna go. I like Alexander-Arnold, he is a young kid and will improve, he will come back. So on the basis, I think they will need another striker. I think they need a target man. I know they have got the little players for how he plays but I think they need a target man. "You need a target man sometimes, when you are chasing the game. When you just put balls into the box and I think someone like that. I expect them to be up there again challenging. It all depends on who City will buy. City will buy. You hear the owner say we will dominate for the next 10 years, we will win every title. "He is not going away from a money point of view. So it is all about who buys what but it bodes well for an exciting Premier League next year." Despite Liverpool's positive season, they still finished way off the pace of the Premier League winners Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side had a 25-point lead on Liverpool as they broke the record points total by reaching 100 points. They will likely continue to invest heavily but Ince thinks that Liverpool will be amongst the challengers next season. "Yes, there’s hope. There has got to be hope," he added. "I think Liverpool will improve. I think it will be tough because Man City will buy again and they won the title by 18-19 points. That’s like six and a half games more or less but the other teams can beat them. There are ways of beating them. "Huddersfield got a point against them. Teams will defend deep against them and they won’t always break them down. I just think you if you can match them and fight fire with fire, you can exploit City because they do leave gaps in behind. For United, if you just sit back then they just open teams up because they have got Silva’s and De Bruyne who can just unlock those deep blocks up. "So you want to stay in the game but fight fire with fire. Look at the second half where they won 3-2. They got lucky there because they should have been 6-0 down at half-time and wouldn’t have scored as many goals but the second half performance was something that you want to see. That’s the approach want to see [against City] and that’s got to give you hope for next season." Paul Ince is an ambassador for Paddy Power and will be a guest on Paddy’s Boat Party which will be broadcast live on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube throughout the World Cup.

It is apt that Brazil boss Tite has used the word "pressure" to describe Roberto Firmino's push for a starting berth at the World Cup. For it is pressure, placed upon the opposition's back-line, that is required of Brazil's No.9 in Russia this summer. Tite has transformed his country's fortunes since taking over from Dunga in 2016, forging an exciting team full of stars that are ready to work for each other. He has tweaked his line-up again in the last fortnight, dropping Philippe Coutinho back into midfield to liven up Brazil's attack even further, and it is clear that the former Corinthians coach is still willing to make changes to his team despite a stellar qualifying campaign, and their position as favourites to win their sixth World Cup. Coutinho's role could prove pivotal, while Neymar is and always will be the star attraction, the man with Pele's No.10 shirt. But much will depend on the No.9. On June 1 Brazil announced their shirt numbers for the World Cup and it is Gabriel Jesus who got the 9, with Firmino taking No.20. Yet a day later, ahead of Brazil's friendly with Croatia at Liverpool's Anfield stadium, Tite reiterated his stance that the Reds striker is still in with a chance. "There is a competition and Gabriel is smashing it," he said. "But he [Firmino] is putting pressure on. I have been watching him. I was here [at Anfield] for the 5-2 against Roma. He has these virtues, he has that quality, that's why he's in the squad."  Both strikers bring similar qualities that benefit the rest of the team; they work extremely hard off the ball, they make clever runs - often to free up space for others - and they're not bad in front of goal either.  Jurgen Klopp, Firmino's club boss, highlights his qualities: “People say he does not score enough. What?! He is the best player without scoring with how well he reads the game for the benefit of others. Outstanding! “What if he starts thinking ‘oh, I need more goals’ and starts shooting from all over the place when usually, he would play a clever ball and make a run to open up the space?” Pep Guardiola, Jesus's coach at Manchester City, made a similar point early last season: "His physicality, his high pressing is the best in the world. Gabriel is one of those guys, goals or no goals he helps us in many situations." Neither player is the star attraction for their clubs or country, precisely because of the roles they carry out, the work they do outside the box; they are the ones to win the ball back, they link the play in the midfield for somebody else to burst into the space they have vacated. Both men have room for improvement - Klopp highlights how Firmino "drops into midfield and gets the ball and loses a few balls where you have a heart attack but then he wins it back and starts an attack." Guardiola is also trying to round off 21-year-old Jesus' performances: "He’s got energy, but still we try to help him - because he’s so young - to understand the movement and what he has to do with the ball. “I am pretty sure he’ll get it because he is open." Firmino started 32 Premier League games last season and scored 15 goals and made seven assists, while Jesus started just 19 games with 13 goals and three assists. Tite has spent plenty of time in England in recent months, including several visits to City's training ground to watch sessions led by Guardiola - as he did when the Catalan was in charge at Bayern Munich. The Brazil boss has also been keeping a keen eye on Firmino, as he pointed out at Anfield, but he has made no secret that Jesus is his first choice for the role. That is almost certainly down to the impact Jesus made as Tite settled into the job.  Jesus, having helped Brazil win gold at the 2016 Olympics and then secured a move to City, scored twice on his full senior debut, which in turn was Tite's first game as Brazil boss.  At the time, Firmino was out of the picture, having struggled with injuries in the final months of Dunga's second reign, leading to him being overlooked by the former midfielder, and then his replacement. The Liverpool man returned to the fold a month later but Jesus consolidated his place in the team with two more fine all-round appearances, and two more goals, in the next two games. Even injuries to Jesus, in March last year and at the start of this year, have not been enough to tip the balance in Firmino's favour. Asked about the City striker's injuries a month ago, Tite was keen to point out that "he returned at a high level." It is clear, then, that Jesus is Tite's first choice - a decision that many Brazilians are on board with, most likely due to his triumphs with Palmeiras, in contrast to Firmino's move to Europe before making a name for himself at home. But there is time for that all to change. Firmino will get his chance. Tite says he could play both strikers together, and he has proven he is not afraid to mix things up.   In the coming weeks, both Jesus and Firmino will have to do what they do best: apply pressure.

Liverpool are looking for an alternative to Nabil Fekir, claims Steve McManaman, with the Reds still in need of creative cover for the departed Philippe Coutinho. Having parted with the Brazil international during the January transfer window, those at Anfield were forced to make do until the end of the 2017-18 campaign. They fared admirably enough, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane leading the charge towards a top-four finish in the Premier League and the Champions League final. Jurgen Klopp has, however, been exploring creative options this summer – with a move for Lyon playmaker Fekir shelved following medical issues – and a big-money deal is expected at some stage. Former Reds winger McManaman told The Express: “The fact that he’s looking at that position suggests that he wants someone. “So I presume he’ll try and find a replacement. A number 10 type player. “When Coutinho went, I know they haven’t missed him because the front three have played so well, but I think it showed that if one of them gets injured they certainly need back up. “They’ve got [Adam] Lallana, but the fact they’re looking at that position, an eight or a 10, shows where Jurgen wants to bring somebody in.” While expecting Liverpool to bolster their ranks in the midfield department, McManaman also believes a new No. 1 will be brought in. Loris Karius’ disastrous showing in the Champions League final, even when taking a concussion into account, has further highlighted the need for a reliable option between the sticks to be found. Ex-England international McManaman added: “I think Jurgen will look at the goalkeeper position, definitely. “The fact there’s been so many rumours about [Jan] Oblak, Alisson, [Thibaut] Courtois, whoever it is, I think it’s an area they have been looking at and will be looking at. "Anywhere you can spend on the team right through - central defenders, he’s bought midfielders, wants a number 10, that spine of the team, I think managers will look at players who are available and if they can improve the team you have to look at it to be honest.” Liverpool have been linked with a number of goalkeeping options, with the Reds eager to make additions as soon as possible after discovering their schedule for the 2018-19 Premier League season.

Jamie Redknapp has defended Sergio Ramos following the Champions League final controversy and has questioned whether Liverpool fans would have complained if it was Cristiano Ronaldo and not Mohamed Salah who had been injured. Ramos has become public enemy number one in Liverpool and Egypt after his clash with Salah during the first half of last month’s Champions League final saw the attacker forced off with a shoulder injury. Madrid went on to win the game 3-1 to claim a third straight Champions League crown, while Salah’s participation at the World Cup was also temporarily put in doubt. However, former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp, who made more than 300 appearances for the club over 11 years, has defended the Spain hardman. “His record in terms of getting sent off is not the best but I would have him in my team,” Redknapp told Goal ahead of the Soccer Aid charity match for Unicef last week. “Whether you like him or not, he plays on the edge. But look at his record. “He’s made the most out of his ability. Go and take a look at his trophy cabinet. He’s won everything. He’s a winner. “If Virgil van Dijk had done it at the other end, if he had injured Ronaldo, would Liverpool fans have been complaining? “That’s just football sometimes, it’s not the best thing in the world but that’s how it is. Someone’s got to win at all costs.” Redknapp also looked ahead to next season and he believes that Liverpool can challenge champions and favourites Manchester City for the Premier League title, providing they succeed in the transfer market. Jurgen Klopp has already strengthened the midfield by signing Fabinho from Monaco and Naby Keita from RB Leipzig but Redknapp says they need more work and particularly need to sign a new goalkeeper following the two blunders Loris Karius made against Real Madrid. “I think they can challenge but Manchester City are going to take some beating and that’s the problem for everybody,” he said. “They need a goalkeeper, that goes without saying. The situation with Karius is a sad one for the kid. I don’t know how he comes back from what happened in the final. Does he play for Liverpool again? “In terms of the defence, they have Van Dijk who is a fantastic player. He’s been a brilliant signing. In midfield there is going to be a lot of competition for places now with Keita and Fabinho being brought in. Maybe they need another wideman, just to give a different option sometimes. “So they are not far away. With the two they’ve signed, I think Liverpool are going to go close.” To donate to Soccer Aid, please visit: www.socceraid.org.uk.

Mohamed Salah’s development at Liverpool has been “a miracle”, says Mido, with the Egyptian now one of few global superstars that can be considered unplayable on their day. The 25-year-old moved to Anfield from Roma in the summer of 2017 after rebuilding his reputation in Italy following a forgettable stint at Chelsea. Few, however, could have predicted the impact he would make on Merseyside, with a remarkable debut campaign delivering 44 goals and countless individual honours. Salah’s season did on an injury low in the Champions League final, with an untimely ailment still being worked on ahead of World Cup duty, but he is ready to shoulder the expectations of a nation in Russia and further ehance his standing on the grandest of stages. Mido told The Guardian of an illustrious countryman who has quickly become a national hero in Egypt: “He’s the kind of guy who says: ‘Come on, even if I have the whole nation on my shoulders, I don’t mind that.’ “He’s a great guy and I think the way he developed as a person, comparing Salah of Chelsea and Salah of Liverpool, is a miracle. “I saw him at Chelsea and he was a shy boy. I even said on TV that if he keeps that character, unfortunately he will never be a big player, but that his quality can make it to the top. “Three years ago when Liverpool wanted to sign Salah and he went to Chelsea, I went on Twitter and said: ‘Salah is 10 times better than [Raheem] Sterling’, and people laughed at me. “Sterling is a very good player, he’s developed so much under [Pep] Guardiola, but Salah is unbelievable, one of the very few players that if it’s his day, there’s no way to stop him.” Manchester City star Sterling did impress in 2017-18, earning a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, but Salah topped the England international by some distance as he took the main PFA Player of the Year prize. He is now looking to carry his club form into World Cup 2018, with Egypt still sweating on his fitness ahead of an opening Group A encounter with Uruguay on Friday.