- Jurgen Klopp praises Liverpool analysts responsible for thinking behind Philippe Coutinho’s free-kick
- Brazilian placed low effort beneath the jumping Brighton wall to make it 4-1
- Coutinho finished game with three assists and a goal
- SEE MORE: Ian Wright: why Jurgen Klopp is annoying managers
It seems Philippe Coutinho shouldn’t be alone in receiving praise for his sublime free-kick goal in Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Brighton.
The Brazilian out-smarted the hosts with a perfectly-placed low effort under the wall to extend the Reds’ lead three minutes from time.
Jurgen Klopp admits, whilst taking superb skill to execute the strike, the idea was brought up by Liverpool’s behind-the-scenes analysts.
Reacting to Coutinho’s performance, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “Very good. I am really happy about that. I love goals like the free-kick but both goals are smart.”
“Was it an own goal? Ah, come on! The free-kick was credit to the analysts, you see something like this in the video meeting and then use it or don’t use it but you need to have the technique to do it.”
“We don’t have a proper wall in training, they have wheels, they cannot jump!”
The Amex Stadium played stage to a Brazilian masterclass, with Coutinho’s fellow countryman Roberto Firmino also impressing with two goals and a typically unrelenting display.
It was Coutinho who dictated the spotlight, though, as he orchestrated an explosive counterattacking performance and boasted his superiority with the ball at his feet.
Saturday’s win served as the latest instalment of the No.10’s mission to assert himself as one of the Premier League’s undisputed world class operators.
His free-kick also saw him extend a remarkable record of most goals from outside of the box in England’s top flight since his debut in 2013.
The little magician is teasing top form at just the right time.