Lallana happy to leave free-kicks to Coutinho

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana admits there is no way he – or anyone else in the Reds’ squad – is getting anywhere near free-kick duty this term, after Philippe Coutinho rifled home a spectacular dead-ball effort against Arsenal.

Jürgen Klopp’s side went on to win 4-3 in their season-opening game at the Emirates Stadium, with Lallana himself getting on the scoresheet before Coutinho added his second and Sadio Mane netted on his full debut.

The England midfielder’s goal was a superb effort, drilling beyond Petr Cech after Georginio Wijnaldum’s cross, but Lallana admitted it was the little Brazilian’s equaliser that galvanised his team.

“Phil again came up trumps with the free-kick,” he said.

“We were working on them a couple of days ago – there’s just no chance anyone is getting anywhere near a free-kick.

“But we all want him to have them because he can produce that, and I think that’s the best I’ve ever seen him score.

“It was further out than usual and it was right in the top corner, the keeper had no chance.

“That great bit of magic from Phil gave us that belief and confidence going into half-time. That was massive for us and we came out in the second half like we were possessed, it was brilliant.

“It was great to be involved in and we just need to show that for longer periods of time, over 90 minutes.”