Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp: 'Philippe Coutinho exit has helped others'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 March 2018

Klopp: 'Coutinho exit has helped others'

Jurgen Klopp says that Liverpool have benefited from Philippe Coutinho's January exit, with a number of players stepping up his absence.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has claimed that the Reds have benefited from Philippe Coutinho's January exit, with a number of players stepping up in the absence of the Brazilian.

Liverpool refused to allow Coutinho to leave Anfield for Barcelona in the summer, but did sanction the sale during the January transfer window.

Klopp has admitted that his team sometimes relied too heavily on Coutinho, and the attacker's exit has allowed other players to take on more responsibility.

"Philippe Coutinho was a very, very dominant player in our game. When we were not at our best it was often a good idea to give him the ball," Klopp told reporters.

"I'm not sure if that is good or not. It was always like this when Phil didn't play, we had to do the job differently. To give the responsibility on different shoulders and split it between the players.

"Now it's been a few weeks I am happy by the reaction of the boys. They have stepped up. People think if one player is missing the whole building is going to fall down. I don't believe in this."

Liverpool are currently third in the Premier League table ahead of their home game against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.