Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has defended his decision to substitute Philippe Coutinho at half time during the Reds’ 2-0 League Cup defeat at Leicester City last night.
Coutinho enjoyed an excellent 45 minutes with the score at 0-0 when he was hooked during the break. Leicester went onto score twice in the second half with Liverpool’s attack significantly muted.
But Klopp insists it was a pre-planned move with the Brazilian’s long term fitness in mind. Coutinho missed much of pre-season due to a back problem and has only started one other game so far this season.
“That was the plan before the game. He needs match time but it was not the plan to let him play again 60 or 70 or 80 minutes,” said Klopp.
“Forty five is the limit. We need to get him fit but we cannot push him through. The second half it was clear we were not that fluent, because we took Phil off – as was the plan from before the game.”
