Coutinho, Firmino credit Klopp for 'winning mentality'

Liverpool's Brazilian duo Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are understandably full of praise for Jurgen Klopp, crediting the gaffer for instituting a "winning mentality" at the club.

In 15 months with the Merseysiders, Klopp has transformed the team from Premier League afterthought to one with realistic title ambitions, and the Canarinho couple attributed that success to the ebullient German's leadership.

"The winning mentality, the coach has brought this. He emphasises it a lot," Coutinho told the club's official website.

"He gives confidence to the players. I think today we believe more in our own potential and that has made us better on the field."

That self-belief has seen the pair play a massive role in Liverpool's dazzling campaign, with the Reds sitting atop the league table ahead of Saturday's trip to Southampton.

Arguably the club's two best players amid a campaign littered with brilliant displays, Coutinho and Firmino have ten goals and eight assists between them in the league.

Physical virtues are only half the battle with top-flight footballers, and Firmino echoed the sentiments of his countryman, noting that once players had acclimated to the manager, it was game on.

"I think that with work we have been doing with the new coach for the last year, we have been getting used to each other," Firmino added.

Part of that process is due to uniformity, and Liverpool has benefited from Klopp's consistent emphasis on Gegenpressing. Countinho reckoned that steady scheme has bore fruit.

"He always asks for the same thing: hard work with a lot of dedication," Countinho added. "It’s a team that puts a lot of pressure on the opponent and that is what he asks us to do, keeping the ball. So they are the same things."