Mark Lawrenson has stated that Liverpool's impressive forward trident and the club's journey to the Champions League final have erased the hurt of Philippe Coutinho's departure.

The Brazilian playmaker left Anfield for Barcelona in January and no replacement was sourced, leading to fears that the Reds would go on to struggle in the second half of the season.

However, Jurgen Klopp's charges remain in the hunt for a Premier League top-four place and now stand on the brink of a sixth European Cup thanks in no small part to the prolific attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Speaking after Liverpool's 4-2 defeat in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final at Roma, which nonetheless proved enough for a 7-6 aggregate win, Lawrenson mentioned how Coutinho is barely being mentioned anymore on Merseyside and praised Firmino for impressing in his compatriot's absence.

"No-one says anything about Philippe Coutinho anymore," former Reds defender Lawrenson told BBC Sport. "I actually thought when he left it might unsettle Roberto Firmino with his mate leaving, but actually, he has stepped up to the plate and been brilliant.

"The two young full-backs (Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold) have seriously improved. Loris Karius is relatively inexperienced so maybe we shouldn't be too surprised they have conceded the goals tonight. But the experience they have gained from nights like this will be invaluable. Jurgen Klopp has improved all of his players.

"If we said at the start of the game, Roma would win 4-2, we would have got locked up. It was a game that was so open and that's a slight worry. Going forward, Liverpool are unstoppable but they do have mad moments defensively. If they can cure that moving forward they will be an excellent team."

Liverpool face Chelsea on Sunday before wrapping up the Premier League season at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, while the Champions League final against Real Madrid takes place in Kiev on May 26.