Philippe Coutinho’s latest magic trick might have saved Liverpool’s season.
Coutinho scored a well-taken goal Wednesday in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup quarterfinals at Ewood Park. Coutinho cracked Blackburn’s code at the right time, as Liverpool avoided an upset and booked a trip to Wembley Stadium, where it will take on Aston Villa in the semifinals April 19.
The quarterfinal replay was goal-less in the 70th minute when Coutinho worked a slick one-two with Jordan Henderson following a Liverpool corner kick. Coutinho cut inside Blackburn’s penalty area and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Simon Eastwood inside of the far post.
The goal was Coutinho’s sixth in all competitions this season. The Brazilian ended a five-game scoring drought by notching the winner.
Coutinho and his Liverpool teammates had struggled to breach Blackburn’s dogged defense. Blackburn held Liverpool to a goal-less draw on March 8 at Anfield and was frustrating the Reds again before Coutinho struck.
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Brendan Rodgers stressed creativity in the build-up to the second Blackburn game. It seems Coutinho, one of Liverpool’s creative outlets, heeded his manager’s call and kept Liverpool’s trophy hopes alive.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@FA
