Jamie Carragher believes Philippe Coutinho is a 'million miles off it' after another below-par outing for Aston Villa against Nottingham Forest.
The former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder was substituted after 65 minutes as Villa made it four Premier League games unbeaten with a draw at the City Ground, their longest streak of Steven Gerrard's reign, but the pressure continues to scale on the former Reds captain with his side sitting 16th in the Premier League table.
Striker Danny Ings replaced the Brazilian in the Midlands as Gerrard looked to secure just a third league victory of the season and ease the pressure on his own future after Ashley Young had cancelled out Emmanuel Dennis' early strike and restored parity.
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But Coutinho, like many of his team-mates, continued to struggle as they failed to break Steve Cooper's side down in the final third and were subsequently booed off by their travelling supporters after the full-time whistle.
For the Brazilian it sees his struggles persist during his second stint in the Premier League after he enjoyed an electric start to life at Villa Park, after sealing a loan switch from Barcelona in January, with goals against Manchester United and Leeds. However, the 30-year-old has since found himself at the centre of hefty criticism for his performances this campaign and is yet to register a goal or an assist in the Premier League.
Speaking on Monday Night Football after the game, Carragher, who shared the Anfield dressing room with Coutinho for six months at the end of his illustrious playing career for the Reds, bemoaned the Brazilian's woeful form since sealing a permanent switch to Aston Villa for £17m in May.
"He is a shadow of a player, we know he is because it did not go well at Barcelona, but he is a million miles off it," said the former Liverpool defender. "He has been the one attacking player Steven has bought."
Following Monday night's draw, the pressure continues to mount on Gerrard as his side now sit just three points outside the relegation zone. Aston Villa welcome a revitalised Chelsea side to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon.
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