Tale of the tape! Sterling versus Coutinho!!!

[Stonigut]

I know Coutinho scored one or two incredible goals but the comparison between the two is a joke to me.

Sterling scores seven goals with seven assists in 35 matches, with 84 shots, thirty three shots on goal.

coutinho has five goals, five assists in 34 matches with 99 shorts and 33 shots on goals.

Sterling beats him in every department but Sterling gets young payer of the year and Coutinho gets player of the year and also contends for Epl player of the year, no wonder England can't do anything right in football, they can't even figure out who the best player is on one team.

[Sir X]

This must be a bloody joke,how many of those games was Sterling played out of position, I.e left back, when the youth coach starts abusing Coutinho the same,then we can talk.

[Peter R]

I have to agree with you. The stats would indicate that Sterling had a better season when measured by goals scored and assists, but he didn't beat him in EVERY department. According to the stats Coutinho had more shots than Sterling, and they tied on shots on goal but these are relatively minor differences. I only point them out because we can get carried away by hyperbole.

My real point however is that (and I'm NOT necessarily speaking of THIS particular case) the stats ALONE do not always tell the full story of a player's value to the team. His attitude in training, the attention (negative..did someone say Suarez?) he attracts, his dressing room comportment, his relationship with teammates etc. all add to what makes a player complete. Some of these intangibles will also be considered when making these decisions.

In THIS particular CASE now, it is possible that some of these intangibles were considered...speculation on my part cause I don't know.

[Stonigut]

Peter, I don't really look on shots as a stat by itself, I only mentioned it as a point to measure it against shots on goal and actual goals, so Sterling is more effective across the board so it looks like this 84/33/7 versus 99/33/5 so Sterling shot on goal percentage versus shots is better at 39% versus coutinho at 33% so Sterling is more effective in shot selection and accuracy and in terms of goal producing event is significantly more effective at leading to a goal at a 40% clip versus coutinho at 29%. Bottom line it is not even close, seems the English are closer to Jamaicans in being swayed by single sexy occasional, thrilling events, much like the dribbling of Barkley from Everton oh so pretty but produces little and their ratings go through the roof, seems like anything Coutinho get three times the real weight.

[Lazie]

I know Coutinho scored one or two incredible goals but the comparison between the two is a joke to me.

Sterling scores seven goals with seven assists in 35 matches, with 84 shots, thirty three shots on goal.

coutinho has five goals, five assists in 34 matches with 99 shorts and 33 shots on goals.

Sterling beats him in every department but Sterling gets young payer of the year and Coutinho gets player of the year and also contends for Epl player of the year, no wonder England can't do anything right in football, they can't even figure out who the best player is on one team.

So what about Ballotelli? MArio got robbed!

[Assasin]

There is a big difference in that Coutinho plays in Traffic and is constantly helping out the backline. He has the defense right in front of him while Sterling is mostly a wide speed offensive player.

I don't even know why compare the two of them. Coutinho is in the center of the park directing traffic and creating plays. Sterling couldn't play that role. They are both effective at what they do.

[Mosiah]

So how come Coutinho beat him in EVERY department when you picked out two?

You are a slave to stats, Stoni, admit it!

[Peter R]

Stoni,
Thanks for you response. I was actually responding to X's "EVERY" department, which I take to be EACH. However, I accept your explanation of how you see the shots taken combined with shots on goal etc. I did say that I thought in their cases, the difference was relatively minor.

What do you think of the other part of my post with respect to the intangibles I mentioned?

[Peter R]

When is your act?
https://www.apollotheater.org/amateur-night-events

[Karl]

There is a big difference in that Coutinho plays in Traffic and is constantly helping out the backline. He has the defense right in front of him while Sterling is mostly a wide speed offensive player.

I don't even know why compare the two of them. Coutinho is in the center of the park directing traffic and creating plays. Sterling couldn't play that role. They are both effective at what they do.

Sass: Are you saying Sterling is not defending a lot?
...and also not directing traffic a lot?

The truth is on quality technical skills Coutinho is superior. ...and Sterling hurts his cause by being poor in front of goal too often...much, much too often. Needs to be taught to shoot/pass on goal. Fact is, it appears his kicking technique is poor to awfully poor!!!!

Ooooh?
Sterling was far the more valuable player during this season. Coutinho is not as poor as my GUNNERS Ramsey on destroying plays...but he is not too far off Ramsey's mad antics!

[Assasin]

Karl Sterling is used wide most and sometimes as a center forward. Coutinho is mostly used as a mid fielder and by nature you do more defending and work in close space. Sterling job is usually slightly different from Coutinho.

[Karl]

Karl Sterling is used wide most and sometimes as a center forward. Coutinho is mostly used as a mid fielder and by nature you do more defending and work in close space. Sterling job is usually slightly different from Coutinho.

...and the Sterling I see comes back on defense...LOTS! ...so if you work in close spaces you should be completing 'tons' of one-time and two-touch passes.

(pause! scratch 'ead???) Is there anyone on Liverpool's TEAM who holds the ball more than Coutinho? Is he really conducting play or often giving the opponent more time to set-up on defense?

Just asking that you think football and not 'so-so luv pritti-nes'!!!!????

[Assasin]

Karl. Again Courtinho main function is to direct the ball and break up plays in the midfield. It is how the coach want it play. You can check the amount of tackle they are both in. It is natural as Courtinho probe and look for opening.

[Karl]

Karl. Again Courtinho main function is to direct the ball and break up plays in the midfield. It is how the coach want it play. You can check the amount of tackle they are both in. It is natural as Courtinho probe and look for opening.

What are you on about?
The comparative quality play of each player? (This is what I am judging/speaking on)...or what each player's coach has put him on the field to accomplish?

I agree with you FULL 100 that Coutinho should have been directing play. However, his efforts at fulfilling that task is 'so-suh' = not at the expected quality..poor!

[Mosiah]

Anyway, Stoni, there is no way I would select Sterling over Coutinho for any award. Maybe if they had a Glaring Sitter Miss Award, perhaps.

You cite two important stats and call it the "tale of the tape". Then why do I feel worse when Coutinho is subbed and not Raheem?

Maybe we remember the glaring misses by Raheem while Coutinho scores goals that shouldn't score? Maybe there is some other thing, some intangible, that tells me I would rather see Sterling leave at this time, than Coutinho? I dunno.

Now, clearly, that might change next season, so please do not quote me carelessly!