Coutinho tells Liverpool to step up and win the Europa League

The Reds play current holders Sevilla at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, with the Spanish side looking to win the trophy for the third year in succession and the fourth time in 10 years.

Coutinho has experienced more than his fair share of disappointment in just over three years at Anfield, ranging from Liverpool's close challenge for the Premier League in 2014, the League Cup final penalty shoot-out defeat in February, and semi-final exits from both domestic cups in 2015.

But less than three months after that Wembley heartbreak against Manchester City, in which Coutinho scored a late equaliser to take the game into extra-time, the Reds have another shot at silverware.

Liverpool's joint top scorer this season believes it is now time to take the final step and secure a first trophy in four years and a first in Europe since the dramatic Champions League victory in Istanbul in 2005.

Coutinho said: "The expression we use in Brazil is 'We hit the post' 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."

Victory in Switzerland on Wednesday would also secure a route back into the Champions League, the only chance of European football next season for Jurgen Klopp's team after finishing eighth in the league.

The Reds have featured in Europe's elite club competition just once in the last six seasons and while a return is significant to the club's status Coutinho claims it is a side issue to the main aim.

"Personally for me winning the trophy is the most important fact," he added.

"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.

"Jurgen Klopp is experienced in European competitions. He is a great manager and has made a few changes since he came in, the biggest one being to change the mentality and making 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.

"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 have had a big part in that."

Source: Sky Sports

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