Anfield news

 'Coutinho is not starting against Manchester City' - Jurgen Klopp

Publish 07-09-2017 By Yayo 

Jurgen Klopp admits Philippe Coutinho isn't ready to start at Manchester City on Saturday – and dismissed suggestions the Liverpool playmaker feigned a back injury.

Coutinho has yet to feature for the Reds this season having been sidelined with the problem, which coincided with him handing in a transfer request amid interest from Barcelona.

The 25-year-old was nevertheless fit enough to play for Brazil in their recent World Cup qualifiers, coming off the bench to score against Ecuador last Thursday and make another substitute appearance in Colombia on Tuesday night.

Coutinho and compatriot Roberto Firmino returned to Melwood on Thursday morning along with the majority of Liverpool's international contingent.

“Yes, he went to the national team and trained normally, but now we have to prepare for a normal season so we have seven games (before the next international break) and we saw 

training this morning and thought ‘Okay, maybe we should use him immediately’ because he was really good, but that doesn’t make sense,” said the Reds boss.

“We have now to continue with the pre-season, not too long, but in a few sessions we have to give ourselves the time because in the next month we have seven games.

“We always have the same decision to make, ‘does he need training or can he play?’ and all that stuff.

“Yes, he will now do a little bit more than the other boys but he showed up in a very, very good mood and looks really promising.

“Roberto played in the second game a little bit longer, but both are fit, so that's cool. They're healthy but now we have to see.”

With Coutinho absent as Liverpool dismissed three bids from Barcelona, many Liverpool fans viewed his back injury with suspicion.

But Klopp said: “I know what people think, but Phil had a back problem a few weeks ago and couldn't train, so that means he misses around about three weeks.”