Philippe Coutinho has urged Liverpool to overcome a series of near misses in Wednesday’s Europa League final.
The influential Brazilian has been in sparkling form for the Reds this season, scoring important goals against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United en route to the Basel showpiece as well as scooping the club’s Player of the Season award.
Coutinho is yet to win silverware with the club but after narrowly missing out on the Capital One Cup in February to Manchester City, the playmaker insists that Jurgen Klopp’s side are finally ready to put their previous shortcomings behind them against Sevilla.
He said: “We’ve ‘hit the post’ on quite a few occasions recently.
“It’s really important for us to finally achieve something; win something with Liverpool. That will be special for everyone across the club.
“We have a great chance to things right now and go onto achieve the things we want to achieve.”
Liverpool were languishing in mid-table obscurity when Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers in early October, and Coutinho credits the German’s charisma and tactical nous for Anfield’s current revival.
He added: “As everyone knows, he’s a great manager. He’s made a few changes since he came in.
“Probably the biggest one being a change in the mentality, making the players believe we can actually win or achieve something.
“Step by step, towards the end of the season, we have improved the performances and are actually close to winning something.
“Obviously in football things take time to bear fruit. it’s just been six months since he arrived at the club and it’s the second final we’re going to play.
“It’s a great opportunity and the changes he’s implemented have had a big direct impact on that.”