Ox sees Red at reporter over Coutinho
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN jumped to the defence of team-mate Philippe Coutinho as the Reds clashed with a TV interviewer for the second week.
The Brazilian’s superb opener along with goals from Dejan Lovren, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino fired Liverpool to victory over the Cherries and into fourth.
But the mood soured when Coutinho was being grilled by Sky Sports’ Patrick Davison on his future at the club.
Oxlade-Chamberlain injected and said: “He has been the most professional player I have seen all season.
“It is not fair to ask those sort of questions, I don’t think. He gives us his all every game and that is all we can ask for.”
It comes just a week after Kop boss Jurgen Klopp hit out at the same reporter over questioning after their draw with Everton.
Coutinho’s brilliant display even overshadowed Salah, who scored his 20th goal of the season in only his 26th appearance since his summer move from Roma.
The feat has only been achieved quicker by Ian Rush in 1986 and Roger Hunt in 1961 and 1965.
But Coutinho, who earlier hit the post with a free-kick, sparked the rout when he fired the Reds ahead with a fine individual goal on 20 minutes.
Lovren headed in a second before Salah made it 3-0 before half-time after an excellent jinking run. Firmino nodded in from Coutinho’s cross to seal it.