Jamie Carragher: Why Jurgen Klopp is the secret behind this Liverpool star's success

LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp deserves huge credit for turning Philippe Coutinho into one of Europe's best.

By James Walters                                 

Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho has been on fire this season

That's according to Reds legend Jamie Carragher.

The Brazil international has been in stunning form under the German and has turned into arguably the best No.10 in the Premier League.

Coutinho has been at the heart of Liverpool's early season success as Klopp's men find themselves joint-top of the league with Manchester City and Arsenal.

The 24-year-old has netted five goals and chipped in with four assists in all competitions this campaign.

And Carragher claims Klopp is behind Coutinho's success on Merseyside.

“Even last season, when he was one of the six contenders for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, I just felt he was a level below those players who he is competing against and, most importantly, eclipsing now,” Carragher wrote in his Daily Mail column.

“Why? The Europa League final sticks in my mind. I wanted to see him stamp his presence all over that game against Sevilla last season, to produce a performance like Steven Gerrard or Luis Suarez, but I left St Jakob-Park in Basle disappointed by what I had seen from him.

Jamie Carragher says Jurgen Klopp is behind Philippe Coutinho's success

    
Is Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher right about Jurgen Klopp?

“So what does it come down to? The influence Jurgen Klopp has had on Coutinho cannot be understated. Klopp does not indulge luxury players. If you are in his team, you have got to be prepared to work relentlessly, no matter what gifts you have.

“Klopp told me that playing in that position is the most intensive in the game and people do not realise the relentless demands that are asked of Coutinho. There is such an importance on the forward players to set the tone for winning the ball back.

“But Coutinho is embracing it and, above all, thriving. We are just nine games into this campaign but the numbers are backing up the hard-running, magical performances he is producing; only Alli, among those No.10's, has scored more goals than him since Klopp’s first game on October 17.”

dailystar.co.uk