Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has claimed that it has been "tough" for Philippe Coutinho after his transfer saga involving Barcelona.

During the closing weeks of the summer window, Coutinho was heavily linked with a switch to Barcelona, and it was claimed that the Brazilian was in favour of the move but Liverpool were eventually able to keep hold of their star man.

Coutinho has since been reintegrated into the fold at Anfield - with the 25-year-old netting a free kick in the 3-2 triumph over Leicester City at the weekend - and Wijnaldum has praised his teammate after making a positive impact since returning to the side.

"He was really good. I had a feeling he would score and he's in good shape. It's been really tough for him the last couple of weeks but he did great," The Express quotes the Dutchman as saying.

Liverpool are next in action when they travel to Russia to face Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday night.