Philippe Coutinho stunner helps Liverpool clinch Asia Cup glory

ByEurosport

Updated 22/07/2017 at 15:08 GMT

Premier League Asia Trophy final, Hong Kong Stadium – Liverpool 2 (Salah 20, Coutinho 43) Leicester City 1 (Slimani 11)

Liverpool celebrates with the Premier league Asia Trophy after beating Leicester City 2-1 in the final during the Premier League Asia Trophy match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City.

Image credit: Eurosport

Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho scored a stunning goal to help Liverpool secure the Premier League Asia Trophy with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

The 25-year-old’s future at Anfield has been the talking point for much of the summer, but the Brazilian swept all speculation to one side to produce an impressive performance at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Jurgen Klopp has already dismissed reports linking Coutinho to Spain, but this display will do little to dampen Barca’s interests.

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Mohamed Salah of Liverppol celebrates with Divock Origi as Philippe Coutinho looks on after scoring during the Premier League Asia Trophy match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC.

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Islam Slimani had given Leicester an 11th minute lead, but Liverpool levelled through new boy Mohammed Salah only minutes later before Coutinho’s thunderbolt gave the Reds the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Jamie Vardy scored twice in Leicester’s 3-1 win over Jurgen Klopp’s side back in February, and the England international went closest to equalising for the Foxes after the restart as he saw his effort well saved by Loris Karius.

WHERE NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The Reds will fly to Berlin where they will take on Hertha BSC on July 29 before kick-starting their Audi Cup campaign against Bayern Munich on August 1 at the Allianz Arena. They will then face the winner of Atletico Madrid or Napoli the next day before concluding their pre-season in Dublin on August 5 when they will face Athletic Bilbao.

Liverpool celebrate in Hong Kong.

Image credit: Eurosport

WHERE NEXT FOR LEICESTER?

It is back to England for Leicester as they prepare for away friendlies with Luton Town on July 26, MK Dons on July 28, Wolverhampton Wonderers on July 29 and Burton on August 1. The Foxes round up their pre-season with a home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach on August 4.

KEY POINTS

Want-away Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez started for the Foxes
Islam Slimani headed Leicester in front after just 11 minutes
Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah scored his second goal of pre-season to level the scores on 20 minutes
Injury worry for Liverpool as James Milner hobbled off after 43 minutes. He was seen rubbing his thigh on the bench
Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho scores sensational winning goal on the stroke of half-time

AS IT HAPPENED

51' - Vardy's through!

Vardy times his run perfectly to latch onto a through pass and he's through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, Klavan gets back at the crucial moment to make a last-gasp tackle.

47' - Vardy on the attack

He scored twice against the Reds in Leicester's 3-1 victory back in February and Vardy is hungry to get back amongst the goals today. He is played through behind the Liverpool defence but is denied by the offside flag. Moments later and he tests Karius with a powerful shot.

43' - GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

Stunning Coutinho strike gives the Reds the lead! Who else? The Brazilian magician is given too much space on the edge of the area, and he punishes the Foxes by hammering the ball into the top corner of Schmeichel's goal with his deadly right foot. A sensational effort.

41' - Milner hobbles off

Jurgen Klopp is forced to make a change in personnel as Milner appears to have picked up an injury. He is replaced by Alberto Moreno. The skipper is seen rubbing his thigh on the bench, and Liverpool will hope that is nothing serious.

20' - GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Leicester

Salah levels for the Reds! It's a marvellous goal from Liverpool's new striker! He finds Coutinho and keeps his run going to meet the Brazilian's wonderful lofted return pass with his head and beyond the reach of Schmeichel.

11' - GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Leicester Slimani heads Leicester in front!

Albrighton finds Fuchs with a delightful reverse pass. The full-back delivers a teasing cross to the back post where Slimani towers above Milner and heads the ball into the back of the net.

Pre-match

Liverpool: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho; Salah, Firmino, Origi

Leicester: Schmeichel, Morgan, Drinkwater, Vardy, Albrighton, Maguire, Amartey, Slimani, James, Mahrez, Fuchs.

Anfield manager Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool have no plans to sell Philippe Coutinho this summer amid reports the player is a target for Barcelona.

The Brazil playmaker starts against Leicester with new signing Mohammed Salah also facing Leicester in Hong Kong. Liverpool's latest £10m signing from Hull Andy Roberston is not with the squad meaning James Milner is likely to operate at left-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold is again in at right-back for Liverpool.

Divock Origi will join Salah and Roberto Firmino in attack for Klopp's side.

Leicester opt for a familiar looking side with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez both handed starts for last year's Premier League champions.

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