Liverpool
midfielder Philippe Coutinho reckons the time has come for the team to
be more ruthless in big games ahead of tonight's Europa League final.
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 the 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 tonight 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 stated. "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."
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