This was why they took a stance. Why, when even the might of Barcelona came calling not once, not twice, but three times, they said no. Why, when even Philippe Coutinho himself stuck in a transfer request, it was rejected.
Liverpool, put simply, do not appear to be able to defend. So if they are going to make the top four again, they will need to score goals. Lots of goals. And if they are going to do that, then they need the brilliant Brazilian to set them up and bang in a few himself.
Under lights on a madcap evening at the King Power, Coutinho set up one, scored one and played a part in another.