Klopp hails improving Liverpool star Coutinho

Liverpool might be winning without Philippe Coutinho but boss Jurgen Klopp claims the Brazilian has taken his game to the next level in 2016.

The playmaker has been a key part of Klopp’s team but is currently out with an ankle injury – suffered in the 2-0 win against Sunderland last month.

Coutinho has scored six goals this season and has linked up well with the likes of Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in a Liverpool team which has scored more goals than any other side this season.

And Klopp is adamant that a freer role has helped the former Inter Milan player, giving him the platform to have a bigger impact on more matches.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

“In 2016 he has made the next step, for sure,” he said.

“He has been very consistent. I think our style of play fits really well with him.

“We had a few talks about it. Of course, with Phil’s skills, everyone wants to give him the ball and wait for something special to happen.

“Then you think ‘Oh no, don’t shoot again’. But if I could shoot like he could shoot then I would try it all the time. It’s outstanding how good he is.

“When we spoke about it, I told him that he could help us more and we could help him more when we do very simple passing to create better situations and have the opportunity to finish in different kind of ways.

“That’s given us a real boost in terms of development. It took a little bit of responsibility off his shoulders so he could play more freely of expectations and pressures. All that stuff. He’s made a big, big step.”