Philippe Coutinho hauled off after brilliant first half against Leicester in the EFL Cup as Liverpool save their comeback star for… the Foxes in the Premier League
Playmaker who wanted a deadline-day move to Barcelona is replaced as the Reds' second string show where priorities lie
WANTAWAY Philippe Coutinho was too hot for both Liverpool and Leicester.
The Reds' playmaker was hauled off at half-time in Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at the King Power Stadium to protect himself for Saturday's Premier League clash - at the same ground.
That showed where Liverpool's priorities lie - as they clearly want to protect the Brazil superstar for the Prem.
Coutinho was one of Liverpool's three survivors from last weekend's starting line-up in ther 1-1 home draw with Burnley.
He was also taken off in that game, albeit late on.
But this time it was for different reasons as he shone from the start.
Coutinho saw his dream deadline-day move to Barcelona collapse.
But so far Anfield boss Jurgen Kkopp's claim that Coutinho still loves Liverpool looks accurate.
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And Klopp might have regreted being so cautious over his star midfielder because the Foxes snatched a matchwinning double after the goalless first period.
The Reds paid for their wastefulness in the final third of the pitch when substitute Shinji Okazaki drilled Leicester in front on 65 minutes.
And 13 minutes later Islam Slimani hit the type of stunner more worthy of winning a final rather than just sealing a place in the fourth round of this much-abused competition as the Foxes triumphed 2-0.
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