Philippe Coutinho has insisted that Liverpool are taking the Europa League seriously and are considering it as another opportunity to add a trophy to their cabinet, not least because it offers a way into the Champions League.
Though Liverpool failed to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League, they did qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League by the virtue of finishing third in their group.
Though Liverpool’s main focus is still to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season by finishing in the top four in the Premier League, they also know winning the Europa League will serve the same purpose.
Therefore, Coutinho stressed that the Reds are taking the competition seriously and are looking to go all the way in the Europa League this season.
The Brazilian playmaker also feels a club of the size of Liverpool must always be in the hunt for trophies and he thinks the Europa League is a wonderful opportunity to win their first silverware under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.
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"I think the most important thing is the cup – we have to think about the cup", Coutinho told the club’s official site.
"Of course, there are other benefits of winning the title, like the qualification for the Champions League.
"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.
"The Europa League is an important cup and Liverpool are a big club that have won many trophies.”
The Reds welcome Turkish side Besiktas to Anfield tomorrow for the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie before heading to Istanbul for the return next week.
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