If managers hold much stock in playing between the lines, then for supporters it's the ability to read between them.

Such was the case for Liverpool fans on Saturday when Jurgen Klopp addressed the media following the Premier League opener at Watford.

Minds had already been knocked into a whirl by the topsy-turvy nature of the match, which ultimately ended in a frustrating 3-3 draw.

But that was nothing compared to the consternation Klopp caused when later commenting on wantaway Philippe Coutinho.

“As a manager of a football club, I have bosses that decide, for example, just in general, if we sell a player or we don't sell him,” he said. “Then I have to accept it.

“If they don't sell him, then I am not involved any more. I'm responsible for all of our players, not just one or two or three, but all of them.

“I can't say anything about it, the only thing is I work with the players I have. That's what I'm always doing. It was pretty clear what the club said about it. That's all.”

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Cue the headscratching. Just what was Klopp getting at here?

Let's deal with the facts first.

Klopp's right to point out that he answers to Fenway Sports Group. They are, after all, his employers.

If they decide Philippe Coutinho should be sold, then the Brazilian will be.

And that was enough for the conspiracy theorists, who read into the comments that Klopp wants the player gone but has been irked by FSG's insistence he's staying.

Match in 60 seconds: Watford vs Liverpool

The Reds boss has forged a reputation of wearing his heart on his sleeve, to the point where it often overshadows his pragmatic approach as manager.

Klopp is an emotional guy and all those hugs demonstrate how highly he values team spirit and bonding.

Coutinho's desire to leave has hurt him, of course. He's made the 25-year-old the fulcrum of his team and eked the best form of his career.

Handing in a transfer request and clearly agitating for a move to Barcelona isn't the way Klopp saw that faith being repaid.

But Klopp's disgruntlement hasn't reached the point where he'll play out a war of words with FSG through media over the Brazilian's immediate future.

Nor is he pressing for Coutinho to be moved on.

Klopp and FSG are on the same page.

Despite people jumping to conclusions, the club's position remains the same. Coutinho will not be sold this summer.

Klopp simply doesn't want to say anything to inflame the situation. He wants Coutinho to knuckle down, accept the situation and return to the fold.

With Liverpool's Champions League fate on the line over the next 10 days, the German doesn't have the time to deal with a wantaway Coutinho. The game is the priority, with Hoffenheim up next on Tuesday.

If there was anything Klopp was trying to say on Saturday, it's that he just wants to crack on with working with those he wants playing for Liverpool and who are 100% committed to the cause.

Klopp wants that to include Coutinho. Whether that happens in midweek remains to be seen, however.