9 Sept 2013

Molby raves: €47m star is on 'another level' to most players. Better than Coutinho...?

Last week, Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann hailed Arsenal's signing of 'fantastic' midfielder Mesut Ozil, and it seems he's not the only ex-Red who believes that the German maestro is the signing of the summer.

In his column for EuroSport, Anfield icon Jan Molby insisted that Ozil is 'the best player that has been brought into the Premier League by any team during the transfer window'. He further raved:

"Ozil is a wonderful player, and in terms of pure quality, his vision is just on another level to most players.

"He has this uncanny knack of being able to see things before everyone else and create chances for other players. He is going to do some damage".


Ozil's creative stats for Real Madrid are fantastic:

* 2012-13: 10 goals/20 assists in 56 apps.
* 2011-12: 8 goals/22 assists in 55 apps.
* 2010-11: 10 goals/25 assists in 53 apps.
* 3-YEAR TOTAL: 28 goals/67 assists in 164 apps.
* Goal/Assist every 1.7 games

Liverpool were tenuously linked with a move for Ozil in 2011, and when the news broke that he'd signed for Arsenal, the horrible nausea and foreboding I felt when RVP signed for Man United returned with a vengeance (!)

Make no mistake, the signing of Ozil (IMO) makes Arsenal favourites to retain 4th spot in the Premier League this season, but Liverpool still have a great chance, and the Reds' version of Ozil - Philipe Coutinho - will hopefully have a similar impact at Anfield.

The question is, who is the better player? Forgetting age for a second, if you had to choose between €8m Coutinho and €47m Ozil for LFC, who would you rather have in the Liverpool team?






NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


125 comments:

  1. Jamie how many assists/goals is coutinho predicted for 3 years at this rate?

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  2. The 33 percent voting for coutinho are also liars

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  3. Ozil is not only much better now but was also better when the same age as Coutinho. This is no disgrace as Coutinho is still fantastic.

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  4. Ozil, what a player...!!

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  5. or in denial.

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  6. Those of you voting for Coutinho need to go and have a quite word with yourselves.

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  7. Coutinho is potentially a very good player.
    However you cannot even put him in the same class a Cazorla, let alone Ozil. Pointless comparison.
    Anyone who has voted for Coutinho is either lying or deluded.

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  8. Mate coutinho is a good player but to be honest he isn't on the same level as Mesut Ozil. People who have watched a lot of him say he's the best midfielder in the world and he's only 24 still not at he's peak yet.

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  9. I love Liverpool n Coutinho compared to most is great but Ozil = on another level!

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  10. Sorry but if ya cant get a load of assists passing to ronaldo kaka benzima etc well see how he gets on passing to walcott giroud and podolski

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  11. Oh dear god, I know its terribly dull without any real football to discuss, but you must be very very bored and ever so slightly deranged to even consider such a nonsensical 'debate'...

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  12. im not gonna lie ,it pains me to say but i have a strange feeling coutinho will turn out to be a one season or half a season wonder like cisse ,jelavic , adam ,carroll etc
    if it was not for aspas he would be the worst performer so far

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  13. Deluded and stupid, an intriguing combination...

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  14. No, We know what Coutinho can do for LFC and for a lot more years, Ozil is world class when playing in a team of world class player and no doubt will do well at the gunners, But time will tell, However I vote Coutinho on the basis that £ for £ he is the better buy over the next seven or eight years.

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  15. For all of you who are criticising those who voted for Coutinho, personally, in terms of pure quality, i would take Ozil without a seconds hesitation, however, if we consider the transfer fee's outlayed for each of them, i would choose Coutinho over Ozil, simply due to value for money.

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  16. maybe coutinho is being targeted if thats the case i cant wait for suarez to come back and sturridge at full fitness
    try marking them all hahhahahaha

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  17. I'd sooner have Beardsley than Ozil & the guy reckons he,s better than he was, having a different opinion doesn't make you a liar

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  18. i dont understand how you can sell ozil
    every tournament he stands out
    as ronaldo says he can find the killer pass
    why not move ronaldo up front
    bale right ,isco left and ozil middle

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  19. It's good to see that Liverpool fans do have a sense of humour. The ones that have been plaguing the Arsenal blogs over the summer have been cretins.

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  20. MESUT OZIL is one of the best on the planet and the best buy of this tansfer window and at this stage in his career is better than COUTINHO.
    Although PC represents much better value for money and when he reaches his peak, i don't think there will be a huge difference between the two.But the over the top praise is making me nauseous.OZIL the best midfielder in the world? Take it easy Gooners!

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  21. For the prices, Coutinho. Ozil is obviously a proven world class international which can't be said about Coutinho yet, but is not worth nearly 6 times as much. Coutinho is also obviously younger and will improve, but even if he just carries on his form since he signed I'd imagine, without doing the maths, that his figures will be similar to or better than Ozil's (admittedly that is from quite a small sample size).

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  22. I have gone for Coutinho just because of his age.
    Ozil is a fantastic player who is definitely better at the moment but I believe in the little magician to out do him over the next few years.... He has gone to Arsenal after all:)))))))

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  23. most of the praise isn't coming from gunners.

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  24. Coutinho to me has looked great against the lesser teams but as soon as he comes up against the better teams (utd last week for instance) he looks a little out of his depth. I hope i'm proved wrong in future big games

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  25. Ur definately right. Liverpool dhould definately stick with Coutinho. And Steven has a much better future than Jack Wilshire.

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  26. One point to make just a small one, no one has seen Ozil kick a premiership football. I never want to wish bad on anyone but even the great Henry took a season to adapt to premiership life whilst everyone has gone with ozil cautinho has adapted well and our system has suited him well only time will tell but right now let's see if ozil turns up against west Brom/ stoke etc

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  27. The problem with value signings is that they cannot take you to the highest level. Having paid for their stadium Arsenal seemed to have reached a level where they can afford a world class signing (if available) each transfer window. To keep pace Liverpool will have to do similar.

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  28. Patrick Ó Fearghasa9:13 pm, September 09, 2013

    Why are you comparing him with Coutinho? Coutinho wasn't bought this transfer window. Might as well just compare him to Suarez and Suarez would win hands down.

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  29. I suppose at 24, Ozil is pretty much over the hill now ;)

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  30. Ozil all day long.


    It is no disrespect to Coutinho. Ozil is just simply that good.

    Could suffer in this league, especially in the short term but no doubt it, at his best, I'd probably take him over any attacking midfielder apart from Iniesta, when it comes to combination of vision and technique.

    He is in the right team though, to give him the best chance of fitting in to this league.



    Coutinho may well become as good or close to Ozil's best but I'm not sure on that he is of the same ilk, when it comes to seeing a pass to the German's level.

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  31. Patrick Ó Fearghasa9:23 pm, September 09, 2013

    Ozil or Coutinho I don't really give a shit once Liverpool has one of the two playing for them. Liverpool have the best striker partnership in the premier league in Suarez and Sturridge so we have to be happy.

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  32. Patrick Ó Fearghasa9:26 pm, September 09, 2013

    He's 25 next month.

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  33. Are you serious? Is this a real Poll? Wait...where's the hidden camera? No disrespect to our Phil and he's got a great future and all but you may as well ask us if we preferred Stewart Downing on the left or Gareth Bale.

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  34. Maybe Ozil looks fabulous because he's feeding Ronaldo. Maybe Coutinho looks as good feeding DS and LS this year. Too early to compare the two unless you look at Ozil's Werder Bremen stats and forget the Real stats.

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  35. Hopefully with Suarez on the pitch he won't have two men on him. Also, second seasons are a good time to judge a player as you've been to some extent worked out, so how he adapts from here will be key. Another reminder of just how good Suarez is, as he just kept getting better!

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  36. Not vonvinved on that one. Ozil played for Werder Bremen and his stats...for his first year...are comparable to Coutinhos. We need to give the kid the benefit of playing with the first squad with its entire complement of weapons.

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  37. Coutinho can see a pass though as we saw last year. He seems tough too judging from his reaction to some of the treatment dished out to him. We just don't know how good he will be, but the potential is there to be at a similar level to Ozil. The only problem I see, is that if/when he gets close to the brilliance of Ozil, he'll be ready to move on...

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  38. It would appear Tom you answered a very different question '£ for £ who is the better buy over the next seven or eight years'. The actual question was 'Who is the better player'...... why is reading so difficult.

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  39. Yes, Coutinho can see a pass but I just don't think he has it in him to do it to the level of Ozil. That is a serious stet up. I just don't think he has that same constant obsessive eye that the likes of Ozil and Iniesta have for a pass. To be fair, they set very high standard of probing vision. I just don't see Coutinho going to that level of vision as I just don't think its one of those things that is not easy to learn or teach easily. But I guess its a matter of wait and see, i.e., let time judge.

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  40. At Coutinhos age he had 9 goals & 17 assists in Germany (09/10) then 6 goal & 19 assists in Spain (10/11).... Also tearing up a World Cup & joining the biggest club around in between! They are not in the same talent group.

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  41. Indeed! The bottom line is we are not in a position to sign an Ozil just yet, So as Patrick said, glad we have one of them :-)

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  42. Liverpool are currently losing money however. FSG have restored the financial stability of the club to an extent, but not to the stage where we are willing to pay massive transfer fees. This is why they are trying to spend less money on young, driven players, with a lot potential to improve, with the hope that they can drive us into the champions league in the next few seasons as they are developing. Once the club have stopped making a loss each year, and have started to become self sufficient, as John Henry stated in his open letter last year, then i am sure the club would be more open to paying the larger sums for world class players.

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  43. I wish I was 25 next month!!!

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  44. Aye, we'll understandably go down the 'potential' route for the foreseeable future and have done so in the little Brazilian. Coutinho is developing in the right direction.

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  45. As there is the best part of four years between them, this is the year to start comparing based on your 2009/10 stats. I also voted Ozil, but I think it's too early to say they are not in the same talent group

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  46. No he would't. Up until last season Suarez (when he wasn't biting or racially abusing someone) needed 5 chances just to hit the target.

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  47. I still act like I am...

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  48. If we're just talking about football and can park the baggage, Suarez edges most including Ozil. The fact is he has 40 international goals already, scored 30 for us last year and is as good on the ball as anyone barring Messi IMO. Ozil is superb, but I think our man is better

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  49. AndWithSuchSimplicity10:24 pm, September 09, 2013

    Coutinho is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the dross we have had in the last 3-4 years BUT (and this is a pretty huge but).....
    1) Inter let him go for relative peanuts. Surely they were not that overloaded with talent that they could afford to let him go?
    2) Since his debut we have played Spurs, Chelsea, Everton and United at home. I can't honestly remember him doing much in any of those games. I believe he was ok v Spurs, he was muscled out of the Chelsea game and I have no recollection of the Everton game due to a morning of Red Stripe....... ;) Again, against United he flitted in and out of the game.
    My point being that he's a great prospect, a real talent, but Ozil has been there and done it in World Cups, Champions League etc.

    Hopefully in 3 years' time then he comparison can be made again.

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  50. Coutinho is 4 years younger than Ozil - give the lad a break. He isn't as good as Ozil is now but he has all the attributes to be as good (or better IMO) than Ozil, but at the moment it is POTENTIAL. Who would I rather have at the moment - Ozil, he is a developed and experienced player now.

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  51. AndWithSuchSimplicity10:27 pm, September 09, 2013

    Thanks very much.

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  52. 08/09... 3 goals & 15 assists in only 20 starts in the league + 4 assists in the Champions league. Ozil has produced at a phenomenal level since late teens.

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  53. Re impact - it should be noted that LFC have lost only 2 of Coutinho's 17 games since joining the club, and are unbeaten in the last 13 games with him in the team.

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  54. AndWithSuchSimplicity10:53 pm, September 09, 2013

    That could be as much to do with the performances of Glen Johnson and Enrique at the back as Coutinho, though.
    Interesting to see how we do now Glen's injured.

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  55. Coutinho just because of his superior work rate when the other team has the ball

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  56. Sure, RVP was the difference last year for Man Utd to reclaim the league. But if City didn't have such a slack attitude, they wouldn't have won.

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  57. There's the empirical and the mental. The first is reality and the second is imagination. At the moment Ozil has done it for Germany and Real Madrid...empirically. Coutinho is extremely promising, but no more than that. He cannot be 'imagined' into one of the best players in the world. Mesut Ozil is one of the best players in the world empirically. I hope Coutinho reaches that level but there is a lot of 'reality' to go yet for him. Good luck though Coutinho.

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  58. AndWithSuchSimplicity11:22 pm, September 09, 2013

    Take away your personal prejudices and try again.

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  59. Re: Johnson. 3 less turn overs, and 3 less shots off target per game - though he has improved slightly lately.


    Coutinho will improve with Suarez back, the better the team is the better individual performances are

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  60. one man can help a team, without doubt. ozil is a very good player, not world class, as some have spouted. arsenal need to improve other areas and the majority of arsenal fans i speak to, are happy to have him, but wanted other areas of the team improved at the same time. 4th is not a shoe in, by any means.

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  61. He's 20 n i can't believe wud ozil than him.

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  62. AndWithSuchSimplicity11:40 pm, September 09, 2013

    I think that you are being a bit harsh on Glen Johnson. Along with Skrtel, he was our best player against United.


    I agree that once Luis comes back than Coutinho should get more space, as defenders will naturally be drawn towards Suarez, and his movement tends to drag the back 4 all over the place.


    Here's hoping, anyway.

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  63. And you know coutinho only played half a season last year in a new league and country. As I said, I voted for Ozil, but let's give the lad a chance. He's looked pretty damn good so far to me

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  64. I couldn't give two hoots where the praise is coming from.But i'm done with this topic.I'll leave others to carry on the love fest!

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  65. Mesut Ozil without a doubt. One of the best players in the world in my opinion. Under rated by those who dont appreciate the way he plays. He is the signing im most exited about and I dont support Arsenal thats how much I rate him. If you ever thought we had a chance of signing him jk, your deluding yourself. Im surprised Arsenal got him to be fair. He should be playing for teams competiting for the league. I think Arsenal are way off that. Id have him over bale. Real didnt need Bale. They needed a reliable striker whos going to score regularly.

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  66. Really...let's compare apples to apples. 2011-12 Coutinho at Espanyol: 16 appearances, 5 goals, 5 assists. 12-13 @ Inter (new team...new league): 19 appearances: 3 goals, 5 assists. 12-13 L'Pool (new team...new league...and no Ronaldo): 13 appearances: 3 goals, 7 assists.
    Ozil: Schalke 06-7(Bundes L): 19 appearances: 0 goals. Bremen 07-8(Bundes...new team): 12 Appearances: 1 goal. Real 10/11 (new league...new team...La Liga): 36 appearances: 6 goals.
    I said COMPARABLE...and he is. I think you need to give the kid the benefit of his development. We can compare after 36 appearances with DS and LS in front of him. Then we can compare honestly.

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  67. Sorry, but if Liverpool wanted to sign a world class player they could do. This is the same team that speant 100m on Downing, Henderson and Carrol right? Thats the equivilent of two ozils.

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  68. Maybe a tad harsh - he was good against united, but man is he frustrating to watch a times - if he keeps it simple and doesn't go for one too many dribbles or a shot from outside the box, he can be very effective, but sometimes his judgment isn't the best.


    The whole front line will be better when Suarez is back, and Suarez will be better than last season, quality is up all around, should be nice to watch.

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  69. I think you have to give credit to Coutinho for his age and inexperience in the premier league, Ozil is 26, 5 years older, has played in Madrid for 4 season at the highest level, contrary to coutinho he was out injured or on the bench, but he will show what he can do this season, don't forget he only came in January, and during that time has already turned heads, so 3 season at LFC ? who knows, ballon d'or, world player of the year even a league champion. watch the space.........................still watching.............

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  70. Sturidge...................................Suarez

    Coutinho
    what a combination.......

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  71. The assist count is astonishing. Coutinho may get to that level but he's still some way off. That's the kind of player we want him to become.

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  72. With the 39 million left over theres lots of top quality around throw Mata in and i know what deal i would rather for 47 million.

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  73. I think this was a dumb buy by arsenal. sure he'll create but who is going to CONSISTENTLY finish. I don't think Giroud can. Walcott defiantly not. you destroyed Carzola scoring, though they have creation coming from all over, but than the defense is slow, injury prone, and no cover. there dm provides little too no help and then there goal keepers are all over the place.

    also you need to note that ozil was passing to ronaldo, benzema, and Higuain. three players that are proven clinical finishers.

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  74. You are absolutely right. Arsenal need a goal poacher more than anything else. They have always had a decent midfield and their build up play was always good with good movements of players. The only problem is they can pass and move and pass and move but they can't score. Most of the time they look like they want to pass the ball into the goal.


    It is not fair to compare Coutinho to Ozil. The former is young while Ozil is much more experienced player. And I would not put Ozil on the same level as Denis Bergkamp either as some of the analyst did. Denis is another class with sublime skills.

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  75. if you include ozil's international stats,he has 92 assists,41 goals in the past 3 years.creates 2.5 key chances per game.coutinho has 15 goals and 9 assists.
    ozil at the age of 19-4 goals,18 assists
    coutinho athe age of 19-0 goals,1 assist,


    ozil at the age of 20-11 goals,20 assists
    coutinho at the age of 20-9 goals,3 assists,


    ozil at the age of 21-12 goals,31 assists
    coutinho at the age of 21-6 goals,6 assists

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  76. Arsenal fan in peace. As much as our first eleven is improved and Ozil is one of the best in the world and our midfield is probably the best in the league now. Carzola, Ozil, Walcott, Wilshere and Ramsey. The lack of depth in Arsenal squad is still there for everybody to see especially upfront. Giround and Podolski are our only natural strikers and the latter is out till January which means the only back up is a young French man in Sanogoo, Bendtner (who says he is a striker) and Park (who says he is a footballer). So fourth is still up for grabs and unless we spend in January Spurs are still favorites and Liverpool are still in the mix.

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  77. That's the kind of player we should be signing. Full stop.

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  78. ozil at werder bremen:-
    2008-09: 4goals,18 assists
    2009-10: 11goals,20 assists

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  79. Ozil is the better player, but he has a few years on Coutinho. I personally would rather have Coutinho, I prefer him as a player, I've never really been a fan of Ozil. Plus Coutinho is still so young, so could still improve immensely.

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  80. I've total faith in Arsene Wenger. Let's not talk about his countless past successes in picking up talented players in the past. With reference to his present squad, if he only spent 9.5 mil pounds for Olivier Giroud and 18 mil pounds for Santi Cazorla, then Ozil must be a real genius to make the always-miserly Wenger spent more than 40 mil pounds. Ozil is an established international with world-class play-making skills and has enjoyed tremendous successes playing for both his country and club while Coutinho is just starting to find his feet after moving from 1 club to another. There's not much ground for comparison between them at the moment, actually. Also, comparing stats between the 2 does not make much sense as well. Some players are child prodigy whereas some are late boomers. I seriously didn't rate Andrea Pirlo when he was Ozil's age and I seriously thought Michael Owen will become the best player in the world after WC98.

    Coutinho is definitely one of the most exciting buy for LFC in the past many seasons. If he chooses to extend his career with LFC, he may have a chance to become another legendary player for the club. Anyway, let's focus on the next game. Bring it on, Swansea City! Oh I'm seriously dream about LFC winning it's 30th league match of the season...

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  81. I didn't vote. It's an uncomfortable question to answer. We have Coutinho, his part of the team, that's the state were at. So this question demands a sort of fantasizing which embarrasses me. Don't need to add more than that. Ozil is a better player, you can say. But i don't rather have either of which, just want the team to look good and maximize as a unit.

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  82. I didn't vote because I think it's a ridiculous poll. Coutinho is our player and he's done well for us. Ozil is definitely a good player, maybe further in his development than Phil even but he's at Arsenal. Phil has done too well for us to be talking about who may be an improvement on him imo.

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  83. Actually, the question is who would you rather have at LFC.

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  84. The harsh truth on this one, coming from a guy who goes a little bit farther than other people i know to understand Real's nonsense and managerial vision - They would choose Bale over Ozil because of his presence mostly; the name walking the pitch, which just shows just how disabled they are in terms of team uniting - get more and further out of players [the opposite of the current LFC you might say]. Same reason why they won't win CL again this term, and at least not in the next couple of years either.

    They should have built their team Around Ozil, more than to sell him, if you ask me. And also to get rid of Pepe and Ramos: these are team poison no matter how good they play.

    Well Arsenal got the best of it eventually, more than Spurs in my opinion. Maybe we will two if they increase their offer for Suarez dramatically, with the skeleton we already have [Difference here between Arsenal and Liverpool put against Spurs]. I can see how the PL in coming years develop's to contain Chelsea, City, Arsenal and Liverpool as their prime top 4. Just a thought though, to much to consider really to really know.
    Real and Spurs - Fu*king a**holes; Screwed up the transfer market even more and WAY further with their no-dignity-once-a-bit. Hope they rot this season.

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  85. assuming we could have afforded Ozil in our current financial state (still no 60k stadium and lost money over last few years partly as a result of said transfers), there is no way a player of his class would come to a club offering no champions league football. Also Arsenal are in a position to add more world class players. Financially they in a superb position - we're not there yet.

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  86. That was part of the Question, I answered the whole question, I said Ozil was world class i didn't say Coutinho was. I chose the youngster because I don't think any player is worth more than 20 million, don't forget in the end it is the paying supporter that funds these ridiculous prices and gate prices are pricing the working man out of the game.

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  87. Still Arsenal have a poor keeper, shaky defence and no decent holding midfielder, they don't have much in the way of strikers either. As long as teams don't sit back and try to contain them, they're very vulnerable (ask Villa fans). I can see them coming unstuck. The battle for 4th should be an interesting one. Spurs could be a serious outfit once the new boys start to gel too.


    Ozil is better than Coutinho on paper, but Ozil is yet to play in the EPL and won't have the same cailbre of striker ahead of him to put away the chances he creates that he had at Madrid.


    Ozil & Giroud or Coutinho & Suarez. Now that's a whole different story!

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  88. are you talking about liverpool or arsenal?

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  89. shaky defence?arsenal had the second best defensive record last year behind man city.stop stereotyping. ozil had 15 goals and 38 assists in 2 seasons at werder bremen.did they have ronaldo or benzema?

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  90. Everybody who disagrees with you is a liar thats rubbish to start with?

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  91. Why dont you mention the assists for Ozil?

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  92. Ozil is the better player, no one can argue with that, is he 5 times better than coutinho ie 40mil v 8mil, there is not 1 team in the prem that wouldn't take ozil but value for money lies with coutinho

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  93. Ozil is the better player, he's the first genuine world star to have joined the Premier League this season imo. However Cotuinho is also a great player, and in terms of value for money Liverpool got an absolute steal when they signed him. Ultimately the league needs both players, the more technically gifted players in the league, the better it is to watch.

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  94. Our pele coutinho will have by 6 year time the number of assists Ozil has now

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  95. Let praise the genius Arsene for the capture and support our not so brialliant pele

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  96. Really bizarre not to include Ozils primary stat in assists. I love Coutinho but its like you are comparing a 20yo to a 30yo. Ozil has showed progression which Coutinho has not. This could be a result of bouncing round Europe & not settling but reality is if he was that good he would not be with us right now.

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  97. I cant see this happening but playing 3 forwards up front & the likes of Lucas & Henderson who lack creativity its a risk putting so much pressure on Coutinho. Managers can just mark/kick him out of the game this season. We should have gone for more creative players than wasting huge wages on 6 center backs.

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  98. bang off!!

    There is real time real live job @ hand @ anfield.

    The no benfit but fantacy and potentially Coutinho distracting comparism is pointless and uncalled for

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  99. Yes, Ozil can produce more now probably (if he doesn't flop in his first season), but Coutinho is a younger player, great bargain buy by Rodgers.
    We never did have 47 mil. for Ozil, and if we did I'd rather invest in someone else than Ozil.
    Btw. Ozil wasn't even Wenger's first choice, he was looking for a striker, Higuain and Suarez were mentioned. He missed out so he turned to alternative option and decided to improve midfield instead.

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  100. Because the wiki page listed assists for Coutinho but not for Ozil. My point is that similar stops in their careers their performances are comparable and we should give Coutinho a chance to get 38 appearances with a team he has played with and a full complement of strikers in front of him, then we can make a better comparison to Ozil as he is now.

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  101. He also had do do the running & covering in midfield for the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema & Di Maria which he wont have to do at Arsenal.

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  102. Wiki is hardly a reliable source


    To compare 'apples with apples', you need to include the assists for BOTH players. If you can't, than it isn't 'apples with apples'. Poor.


    Try ESPN or another website for assists, etc, for both players.

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  103. Suarez has one full season of good form in one of the top 4 leagues. That is why I find it hard to agree with those that place him so highly and right up behind Ronaldo & Messi, even though I'm in the minority on here. Not even the best player for me in the league (I'm going with Mata). Suarez is exciting, yes but that isn't the be all and end all.


    Even in terms of ability, I don't see him better than the likes of Iniesta and Ozil.


    Ozil has been doing the creative business for four seasons on the trot to a high level. Technically and in terms of vision, is up there with the best.


    I'd take Ozil over Suarez, in terms of football and no baggage. Each to their own I guess.

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  104. It's laughable how a player can be the best buy of the transfer window even though he hasn't played a game for his new club yet ....

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  105. It's a shame we can't have Hamman and Molby on Match of the Day instead of those other two Liverpool dumb assess.

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  106. all brilliant players - Suarez Stats are as follows:
    Age - 26
    Uruguay - 40 goals in 72 games
    Liverpool - 96 games, 51 goals, 24 assists
    Club career - 327 games, 190 goals, 69 assists
    Also he works his nuts off for the team and he can play one-twos off defender's legs! :-)

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  107. right time for Hansen to go - he went stale a while ago. I know i'm in a minority, but I really like Lawrenson.

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  108. Real shame is there's no one English with remotely the same sort of talent!

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  109. Yes but those stats don't change the fact that he has only put in one good season of form in one of the top 4 leagues. one good season. Nice stats mind but I like my creme de la creme players to have given more than one good season of form in a top 4 league.

    I'm not too fussed about international goalscoring (especially if its around the 1 in 2 ratio), unless it is ridiculously good.

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  110. I really like your posts, but i cant see where youre coming from on this one. I guess though, suarez is nothing if not decisive! :-)
    One season? He was the Dutch player of year in 2011 - did you see the send off the Ajax fans gave him before he joined us? Behaviour aside, he's been fantastic for us from day 1, so if you don't see him as one of the best players in the world already I know I won't convince you. Can the words of his two captains influence you at all? Also, his international goals have contributed to a major title, so I wouldn't be too ready to write them off. In case you haven't guessed I love watching this fella play football!!!

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  111. 'one season'? one season in one of the top four leagues. The Dutch league is comfortably not one of the top 4 leagues. The top 4 being La Liga, PL, Bundesliga and Serie A.




    Yes, you won't convince me that he should be rated so highly, especially not just behind Messi and Ronaldo. Ajax fans, Gerrard (the same bloke who put Messi and Joe Cole in the same sentence) and Lugano (I haven't agreed with most of what Uruguayan players/FA/Tabarez/media have said about Suarez to date, as they back him over absolutely anything) won't either. Footballers' opinions can be no better than the pundits we mock.






    So lets just agree to disagree ;)

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  112. I honestly think that we need to wait a season to start to compare these two players couse we didnt even see Ozil playing in the Arsenal team. As for Coutinho goes, he is an excelent player and can do wonders in a couple of years, when he grows up a little and setle himself in the PL.

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  113. People!! Pls, lets watch and see how this season will be, besides they are both on thesame league.

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