Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho is hoping to keep
their momentum going when Turkish side
Besiktas visit Anfield in the Europa League on
Thursday.
Liverpool have only lost once in their last sixteen
games, a Capital One Cup elimination at the
hands of Chelsea, and have won their previous
two matches.
Their improved form means they are still in
contention for a top-four finish in the Premier
League, and the Brazilian playmaker hopes that
winning mentality will guide them far in Europe.
“It’s important to maintain the momentum,” he
told the club’s official website. “The team has
been doing what the coach has been requesting
and everybody is trying their best on the field.
“Everybody defends when we do not have the
ball and I think that has been important in
helping to allow the team to play well, so we
have to continue like this.”
The Reds dropped out of this season’s
Champions League after finishing third in their
group, but Coutinho is now fully focused on
winning the Europa League.
“I think the most important thing is the cup,” he
said. “But we also have the chance to finish in
the Premier League top four, and the most
important thing is to always be fighting for
trophies.
“It will be a great game against Besiktas and
everybody is looking forward to it. The Europa
League is a big competition and I know they are
a good team, so they’ll be two great matches.”
Liverpool will also be looking ahead to their
upcoming Premier League fixtures against
Southampton and Manchester City, but will know
that victory in the Europa League, regardless of
league position, will also qualify them for next
season’s Champions League.