Jurgen Klopp clashes with Sevilla bench after draw
That is according to pundit and former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley.
Coutinho was forced to stay at Liverpool after Barcelona made three bids for him in the transfer window.
The Brazilian was keen to leave and handed in a transfer request, but Liverpool were adamant he could not go.
Burley’s ESPN FC colleague and Liverpool legend Steve Nicol praised the Fenway Sports Group for their role in keeping Coutinho.
ESPN
Liverpool news: There was no point keeping Coutinho if Klopp didn't strengthen the defence - Burley
What’s the point in sitting tight and fixing your bayonet up and fighting Barcelona off if you’re doing nothing at a key area on the field?
Craig Burley on Liverpool keeping Philippe Coutinho
However, Burley says there was no point in doing so if they were not going to improve an area that needed addressing - their defence.
“Steve was saying for most of the summer, well the last six weeks, he was adamant that the Fenway group had to make a stance on this Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho transfer,” Burley said.
“I mean millions, way too much than what he’s worth.
“But what’s the point? What’s the point in sitting tight and fixing your bayonet up and fighting Barcelona off if you’re doing nothing at a key area on the field where you’ve had a problem over the last two or three years at least. What’s the point?”
ESPN
Liverpool news: Philippe Coutinho was keen on a move to Barcelona but the Reds said no
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Burley was speaking following Liverpool’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Sevilla last night.
He says a reason for their defensive struggles is that manager Jurgen Klopp continues to change his defence in each game.
He added: “When you’ve got problem in the full-back areas, and a problem in the centre-half areas, and your goalkeepers are not convincing and you continually change, like he has with Mignolet and Karius and Klavan and Lovren and Trent Arnold and Gomez, how the hell are you supposed to get a partnership that’s supposed to get some solidity for half a dozen games or more?
"How? It’s impossible.”
Coutinho made his first appearance of the season last night, coming on as a second-half substitute.
