Jurgen Klopp: What I really think about Liverpool FC star Philippe Coutinho
The Liverpool manager heaps praise on the club's "outstandingly good" number 10 Philippe Coutinho
Jurgen Klopp has hailed Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho as an “outstandingly good player”.
The Brazil international was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window but a deal failed to materialise as Liverpool refused to sell their prized asset.
Coutinho handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Barcelona but the 25-year-old was denied his supposed dream switch to the Spanish giants.
The 25-year-old attacker missed Liverpool’s opening five games of the season before he returned to the starting line-up for their 3-2 win at Leicester City.
Coutinho netted a brilliant free-kick at the King Power Stadium before the Brazilian midfielder scored in stalemates with Spartak Moscow and Newcastle United.
Klopp didn’t take long to integrate his number 10 back into first-team affairs and Coutinho doesn’t appear to have held a grudge with his return of three goals in three starts.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool’s clash against Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, Klopp said:
“He is an outstandingly good player.
“All the technical skills he has are fantastic but he is also tactically a very good player. He knows how to use different spaces. That’s why it is easy for him to switch from an ‘8’ to a winger or a ’10’.
“He is good at shooting and good at passing so he can make the difference.”
Liverpool signed Coutinho in an £8.5m deal from Serie A giants Inter Milan in the 2013 January transfer window.
The Brazil international scored 13 goals and made seven assists in 31 appearances in the Premier League last term.
