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Philippe Coutinho’s return to the Liverpool first team has been made easier by the supporters, according to Jurgen Klopp.

The Brazilian scored a stunning free kick in the 3-2 win over Leicester, epitomising what was his best performance this season.

His summer-long desire to move to Barcelona, and Liverpool’s rejection of three bids, is well-documented, as is his transfer request to leave Anfield.

Yet despite detailing how he wanted to move to the Catalan giants, the player has been welcomed back by the fans.

He received a good ovation from the home support when emerging from the bench for his first Liverpool appearance this season – against Sevilla – and had his name sung loud after firing his side into a 2-0 lead at the King Power Stadium.

And after putting on a virtuoso display, Klopp paid tribute to both player and fans for returning to normality so soon.

“It’s not about Coutinho’s character but it says a lot about the relationship with our supporters and Phil Coutinho,” Klopp said. “Because when he came on (against Sevilla) for the last 15, 20 minutes, nobody knew how Anfield would react.

“Anfield pushed, it was really there, and that’s what I really love in football.

“Maybe we don’t agree always in each moment, like people are, but when you have a short minute to think you remember we are family.

“That’s how they reacted, they really loved it and that helped Phil a lot. He can play football, he can be concentrated on football, he can perform.”

One player who has struggled to win the acceptance of some sections of the support, however, is Jordan Henderson.

The captain has come in for criticism at the start of the campaign for inconsistent performances, as he looks to return to the excellent form he showed prior to last season’s injury problems.

Henderson went six months without a competitive game for the Reds this year but provided his side with a crucial third goal with a calm, collected finish under Kasper Schmeichel.

It capped a fine overall outing for the 27-year-old, and left Klopp further confused as to the negativity his midfielder has received.

“It makes no sense. Criticism? I don’t know,” he added. “All the responsibility Hendo gets at LFC and the international team, and still not the most experienced player. He’s still at the very good age when he can improve a lot.

“Unfortunately, when you have the armband, you think be perfect or give it away.”

Coutinho and Henderson started both Leicester games in the space of four days, along with Gini Wijnaldum and Joe Gomez.

Klopp is expected to continue some rotation with his side flying out to Moscow on Monday, to face Russian champions Spartak on Tuesday, before returning to Premier League action against Newcastle.

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The German boss maintains his focus remains on the next game only, however, as the fixtures pile up.

“It makes no sense. My preparation for a Champions League game starts when you stop asking me, he said. “That’s what we do. The analysts behind the scenes are already doing it but how I understand life is ‘do what you do’, 100%.

“I do this thing with 100%, then I do the next thing with 100%. I didn’t think about the Champions League game today, at all.”