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Philippe Coutinho insists that nothing was going to stop him getting off his sickbed to help Liverpool keep their Champions League dream alive.

The little Brazilian attacker had lost three kilograms in weight due to illness prior to the Reds’ trip to Stoke but was adamant he wanted to be part of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Coutinho only linked up with his team-mates at their hotel on Saturday morning but answered Klopp’s call to come off the bench for the second half and duly inspired a gutsy fightback.

“They asked me to stay at home because I was not feeling well but I wanted to be here,” Coutinho said.

“I wanted to be involved with the team. The manager decided because I was not 100% but I wanted to play.

“It was a big win. There are a lot of points to fight for and every game for us is very important.”

Coutinho became the Premier League’s highest-scoring Brazilian when he fired home the equaliser to cancel out Jonathan Walters’ header. It was his 30th top-flight goal and put him one clear of former Middlesbrough man Juninho.

Fellow countryman Roberto Firmino then wrapped up the points with an emphatic finish to ensure the Reds remain in third place.

“I am happy for that record,” Coutinho added.

“I want to keep going and keep scoring and helping my team and keep learning from my manager.

“It wasn’t just about Roberto and me. The team played well (in the second half), we created more chances and then we scored the goals. I think the team played well, not just individuals.”