Philippe Coutinho exposes City’s weaknesses in the transfer market, Jason Puncheon reinvents himself, plus TV replays are on the agenda again
Brendan Rodgers made a telling point after Liverpool inflicted a damaging defeat on Manchester City courtesy of a Philippe Coutinho winner for the second season in succession. “£8.5m he cost us,” the Liverpool manager said. “It would be frightening to think what he is worth in the market now.” Probably a sum that only a few clubs in the world can afford, the reigning Premier League champions included, but Coutinho’s mesmerising display at Anfield invited as many questions about City’s dealings in the transfer market as Liverpool’s forensically examined “transfer committee”. Whereas Liverpool’s summer signings have started to vindicate the club’s faith during the late push for Champions League qualification, City look a weaker proposition for their acquisition of £40m defender Eliaquim Mangala, Fernando and Bacary Sagna. Wilfried Bony, the £28m January signing from Swansea City, is another departure from the elite level transfers that City were making when David Silva, Sergio Agüero and Yaya Touré signed up to their long-term vision. Andy Hunter
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• The Dozen: the weekend’s best Premier League photos
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via Football | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1wCWEH5
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