Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Philippe Coutinho: 'Practice' and 'confidence' key to Liverpool success

Philippe Coutinho has told FourFourTwo about how Liverpool's training methods have helped the side flourish in the final third of the pitch this season.

Liverpool have scored 35 goals so far in the Premier League -- more than any other team -- and are making a push for the title as they currently sit third in the table -- four points behind leaders Chelsea.

Coutinho has opened up on the work that goes on at the club's Melwood training ground in order to carry out manager Jurgen Klopp's style of play in matches.

"We work really hard on our passing game, because our manager likes this type of playing style," Coutinho said. 

"Something we practise a lot is playing three short passes and then switching the play with a longer pass. We often repeat that routine.

"One of the reasons we do this is so that the forwards can try to escape their markers and then open up spaces on the pitch very quickly."

The Brazilian is currently injured for an extended period of time with ankle ligament damage after being stretchered off in the 2-0 win over Sunderland last month. 

Prior to his injury, Coutinho had been in fine form for Klopp's team and says he has been playing with "happiness" this campaign.

"Confidence is a huge factor out on the pitch," he added. "I think it comes through repeated quality training, which gives you belief in your ability as well as the confidence to transfer your work from the training ground onto the pitch.

"If we get only two or three chances in 90 minutes, you need to be confident that you will make the right decision in the final third and then put the ball in the back of the net.

I don't think there is a secret -- you just have to practise making these decisions a lot.

"Attacking midfielders need to play with happiness. By that I mean dribbling at pace and making things happen. If you repeat that every day, then you will tap into the perfect mental state to be creative."

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