Coutinho: ‘I wasn’t playing so well’

Philippe Coutinho: Has impressive record against Manchester City

Philippe Coutinho: Has impressive record against Manchester City

Philippe Coutinho hopes his performance against Chelsea on Saturday can kick-start his season after admitting: “I wasn’t playing so well”.

Liverpool’s Brazilian playmaker had been below his best prior and had been criticised prior to his two goals at Stamford Bridge that set the Reds on the way to a 3-1 victory.

It gave Jurgen Klopp the first Premier League win of his tenure, and Coutinho hopes there is plenty more to come.

He told the Liverpool website: “For me, it was great. I wasn’t playing so well and hadn’t scored for a while, so I was glad to score again and help the team.

“I hope (it can be a turning point for me), I hope so. Sometimes when you play, things don’t always go well, but I always work hard.

“I’m always looking to improve and I hope from now on I’ll continue improving; not only me, but the team, which is the most important thing.”

Klopp is expected to take a strong squad to Russia on Wednesday for the Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan on Thursday night.

Most of the players who were involved in the weekend win at Chelsea are scheduled to travel, although one definite absentee will be Joao Teixeira, who is ineligible for the competition.

 

Klopp named a strong side for the home game against Kazan – which ended in a third successive 1-1 draw in Europe.