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Jurgen Klopp defends decision to bring Philippe Coutinho off after 45 minutes as Liverpool lose to Leicester City in Carabao Cup

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp defended his decision to substitute Philippe Coutinho but admitted he has been left feeling 'sick' by the Reds after their Carabao Cup exit at Leicester.

The Foxes dumped Liverpool out in the third round after Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani scored to clinch a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.

It came after the visitors dominated the first half as Coutinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke missed fine chances.

Philippe Coutinho impressed for Liverpool but was withdrawn half-way through their 2-0 defeat to Leicester City in the Carabao Cup
Philippe Coutinho impressed for Liverpool but was withdrawn half-way through their 2-0 defeat to Leicester City in the Carabao Cup
Manager Jurgen Klopp speaks to Coutinho as he sits on the bench during the second-half
Manager Jurgen Klopp speaks to Coutinho as he sits on the bench during the second-half

Coutinho was withdrawn at the break as he builds fitness after an interrupted opening to the season, where Liverpool rejected several bids from Barcelona.