Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho wouldn't have prevented Manchester City embarrassment, insists boss Jurgen Klopp

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The vibrant German Jurgen Klopp has defended his team as Liverpool fans woke up to a realisation that Saturday really wasn't a nightmare.

A 5-0 demolition by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium - Liverpool's first defeat of the season - has unsurprisingly been littered with critique. And what is worse for the Liverpool manager, his critics had an easy line of inquiry. The absence of Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho, who may also had thought he was in some sort of nightmare after his dream deadline day move to Barcelona never materialised, was left out of the Liverpool squad to face City to recover his fitness levels after a recent back injury. 

Philippe Coutinho was left out of Liverpool's squad which was beaten 5-0 by Manchester City

But manager Jurgen Klopp was adamant that the Brazilian wouldn't have save his team

It was news which came as a huge surprise to their loyal supporters, resulting in claims the talisman would have prevented a the onslaught at the Etihad, but according to the Liverpool Echo, Klopp disagreed and believes that even the 'fantastic' Brazilian wouldn't have saved his team from embarrassment.

'I'm not sure it's that easy, but if it is then that's cool. We need only bring Phil (Coutinho) in and then everything will be good again.

'With Phil (playing), we haven't created more chances against City in the past. Yes, we've scored more often. If you want to blame me for the decision (not to play Coutinho) then no problem.

The 25-year-old was involved in a transfer saga which nearly saw him leave for Barcelona but after a move failed to materialise for Coutinho he returned to first-team training this week

'We've scored a lot of goals already this season, and the players on the pitch have played the kind of passes Phil can play.'

Klopp has also taken the time to throw blame at his midfield and defence for the defeat, which Sportsmail reported this week. 

Despite the unwanted saga surrounding Coutinho, Liverpool were in pretty good nick – offensively that is – undefeated and having scored eight goals in their opening free games, including an impressive trashing of Arsenal, and began the clash at the Etihad well.

Their best chance fell to summer signing Mohamed Salah, whose nerves got the better of him when it really mattered, Klopp concurred.

'The passes to release Mo Salah in the area (on Saturday), they were all played by somebody. You can't play them any better than that.

'But the final decision wasn't good enough to score. That's what we really have to learn. Yes, we can be really good. But if you don't finish the situations you create, then you will always have a problem.

'Phil is a fantastic player, and hopefully we can use him as quickly as possible.'

Liverpool's real problems came in the aftermath of Sadio Mane's red card which saw City goalkeeper Ederson subbed off and later seen with a nasty war wound on the side of his face. One red card and the rest was history. 

And Klopp is determined to move on from the defeat quickly and abruptly, with games coming thick and fast for the Anfield club, and Klopp may have understandably been keeping one eye firmly on their upcoming fixtures. With five to play in three weeks, Klopp's team face crucial Champions League ties against Sevilla and Spartak Moscow, which Coutinho will be well and truly needed for. 

'We play on Wednesday, we play on Saturday, we play, play, play, play, play. I will have the situation all the time now over the next three or four weeks,' he added.