Liverpool assistant coach Peter Krawietz admits Philippe Coutinho's departure for Barcelona hit the players.

Liverpool were rocked on the eve of the Premier League season by a Coutinho transfer request after having rejected several bids from Barcelona throughout the summer.

“His change was very painful, because we lost his quality and special style of play," Krawietz told SPOX.

“So we had to ask ourselves: Can the group deal with this? Can we respond to this urgent call to change?

“In the end we answered in the affirmative. Phil was a formative figure with us. It was a pity he left. Fortunately, we have managed to absorb his loss collectively.

“Of course, one notices whether a player is happy or unhappy.

“When a club approaches a player and suggests things to him, such as he might force a situation that complicates the situation for his current employer, that's not nice and distressing for everyone.

“Of course, that was also a topic in the group, even though Phil had made the best possible contribution to the team until the last day in Liverpool."