Liverpool superstar Philippe Coutinho has stated that earning Champions League qualification salvaged the Reds' inconsistent season.

The Merseyside club endured a roller coaster campaign in the Premier League this season but they did manage to earn a top four finish, pipping Arsenal to fourth place by a single point.

Finishing in one of the Champions League positions can be seen as a huge achievement for Liverpool and star man Philippe Coutinho believes that qualification into Europe's elite club competition 'rescued' the Reds' entire campaign.

Coutinho said: "We started the season very well, I started well. But then in the middle, the performance regressed. Then we bounced back, and I finished the season at a high level.

"The whole team is playing well. Sunday was a very important victory, and next season it's the Champions League."