Just in Time, Philippe Coutinho Figures it Out: Stop Hitting the Post

If you were someone inclined to make bingo cards revolving around things common to Liverpool, hitting the woodwork might be a square you'd include. Though Liverpool didn't hit the post as many times this year as they may have in past seasons, the thirteen times it happened in league action this year were thirteen times too many, and Philippe Coutinho thinks that maybe it's time to stop.

"The expression we use in Brazil is 'We hit the post'," he explained of the expression that has the same translation in English. "(And we did that) on quite a few occasions recently so it will be really important for us to finally achieve something and win something with Liverpool. That will be special for everyone across the club and the whole of the squad.

"Personally for me, winning the [Europa League] trophy is the most important fact. The positive consequence of winning the trophy is getting a Champions League spot but the squad are focused on the trophy. As I said before we hit the post on a few occasions so it is really important we win the Europa League."

Indeed, not hitting the post would be a good start, and putting the ball between the posts a handful of times would be even better in order to deliver that trophy back to Merseyside. Aside from shooting accuracy, Coutinho believes that the changes Jürgen Klopp has made to the side have had a major impact on how deep Liverpool have gone in cup competitions this season.

"Klopp is experienced in European competitions," Coutinho said. "He is a great manager and has made a few changes since he came in, the biggest one being to change the mentality and make the players believe they can actually achieve something.

"Then step by step towards the end of the season Liverpool have improved performances and now are close to winning something.  Things tend to take time to bear fruit. It has been just six months and it is the second final we are playing in so it is a great opportunity. The changes he has implemented has had a big part in that."

Liverpool may have rounded into form too late for it to matter in the league, but their timing is perfect for winning a fairly significant piece of silverware.  If Liverpool win the entire competition, Klopp's tenure will have borne fruit far earlier than expected. But even if they fail in this endeavour, the progress made under the new manager is absolutely nothing to be disappointed by.