Liverpool show why they refused to let Philippe Coutinho leave for Barcelona as brilliant Brazilian fires Reds to win at Leicester after defensive woes

  • Liverpool beat Leicester City 3-2 on madcap night of defending at King Power
  • Performance shows why Reds were right in keeping Philippe Coutinho at Anfield
  • The brilliant Brazilian scored to help Jurgen Klopp's men clinch vital victory
  • Liverpool do not appear to be able to defend and need Coutinho's quality  

This was why they took a stance. Why, when even the might of Barcelona came calling not once, not twice, but three times, they said no. 

Why, when even Philippe Coutinho himself stuck in a transfer request, it was rejected. 

Liverpool, put simply, do not appear to be able to defend. So if they are going to make the top four again, they will need to score goals. 

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho celebrates his first half goal as Jurgen Klopp's men win 3-2 

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho celebrates his first half goal as Jurgen Klopp's men win 3-2 

Coutinho is mobbed by joyous colleagues after he scored Liverpool's second goal on Saturday

Coutinho is mobbed by joyous colleagues after he scored Liverpool's second goal on Saturday

Coutinho is congratulated by Roberto Firmino after the Brazilian scored against Leicester City 

Coutinho is congratulated by Roberto Firmino after the Brazilian scored against Leicester City 

Lots of goals. And if they are going to do that, then they need the brilliant Brazilian to set them up and bang in a few himself. 


Under lights on a madcap evening at the King Power, Coutinho set up one, scored one and played a part in another. 

Liverpool, with their backline as all over the place as the River Mersey, ended up needing three.

Barcelona came calling for Coutinho three times but each time Liverpool stood firm 

Barcelona came calling for Coutinho three times but each time Liverpool stood firm 

Leicester, buoyed by their midweek League Cup win over the same opponents, started strongly. But Coutinho is Coutinho. 

His ability to create something from nothing is something you cannot replace in a generation, let alone with a few weeks of the transfer window remaining.

Here, he showcased that talent with a quarter of an hour gone, when is millimetre-perfect cross found the head of Mohamed Salah at the far post. 

Coutinho is a special talent and his performance against Leicester showed his importance 

Coutinho is a special talent and his performance against Leicester showed his importance 

Coutinho was instrumental in helping his side beat Leicester 3-2 in a madcap football match  

Coutinho was instrumental in helping his side beat Leicester 3-2 in a madcap football match  

Even Kasper Schmeichel was surprised. On 23 minutes, Liverpool won a free-kick on the edge of the box when Alberto Moreno was upended. 

The pocket of visiting fans chanted Coutinho’s name. They know. He duly obliged, clipping a curling shot over the wall and into the top corner. 

At 2-0, it should have been game over, even at this early stage. 

Jordan Henderson scores Liverpool's third against Leicester which turned out to be the winner 

Jordan Henderson scores Liverpool's third against Leicester which turned out to be the winner 

Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet brings down Leicester striker Jamie Vardy for a penalty

Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet brings down Leicester striker Jamie Vardy for a penalty

But Liverpool are Liverpool and we got peak Simon Mignolet Part One when the keeper pulled off a brilliant save to deny Jamie Vardy but got nowhere near the resulting corner as the hosts halved the deficit. 

Mignolet was clearly obstructed, but stronger goalkeepers would have claimed the cross. 

With the Foxes pressing, and with Harry Maguire getting carried away on a charge forward, Jordan Henderson nicked the ball, Coutinho released Daniel Sturridge and seconds later it was 3-1. 

Moment of drama: Vardy strikes the penalty but Mignolet saves the spot-kick as they win 3-2

Moment of drama: Vardy strikes the penalty but Mignolet saves the spot-kick as they win 3-2

Vardy fails to hide his disappointment at his penalty miss during the match with Liverpool

Vardy fails to hide his disappointment at his penalty miss during the match with Liverpool

Still they were not safe. Seconds later Mignolet pushed a Demarai Gray shot out and Vardy narrowed the deficit. 

Peak Mignolet Part II, recklessly bringing down Vardy before brilliantly saving the subsequent penalty, preserved the lead. Coutinho was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on 79 minutes. 

His point was proven. Liverpool have injury problems and this was by no means a first choice back four. Regardless, they need Coutinho. 

The 25–year-old is on around £150,000-a-week after signing a new contract at Liverpool. Barcelona offered him double that. Those in the boardroom at Anfield may wish to consider following the Catalan club’s lead.