- Phil Coutinho started with the armband for the first time in his Liverpool career
- Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Simon Mignolet all started against Spartak on the bench
- Jurgen Klopp made the decision based solely on who was the longest serving player
Jurgen Klopp says Phil Coutinho was made captain for Liverpool's Champions League game against Spartak Moscow because he was the longest serving at the club in the starting XI.
The German claimed his decision was based on which starting player had been at the club the longest which he did through google.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Photo: ESPN
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The Brazilian who scored his first hat-trick for the club arrived in 2013 from Inter Milan.
Coutinho celebrates one of his goals in he game. Photo: Lfc.com
Coutinho he scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 demolition of the Russians as the Reds top their group ahead of Sevilla and their opponents on the night.
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Jurgen Klopp meets his player after his stellar performance against Spartak. Photo: Lfc.com
Many fans thought the decision was to help convince Coutinho to stay on Merseyside, with Barcelona still eyeing up the midfielder.
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Source: Sports.naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 7 December 2017