Klopp opts to give Coutinho extra training, not time on the bench

PHILIPPE Coutinho will be left out of Liverpool’s squad for today’s Premier League trip to Manchester City, with manager Juergen Klopp saying the Brazilian needs training time to make up for his disrupted pre-season.

Coutinho, who has not played for Liverpool so far this season due a back injury, submitted a transfer request after the club received and rejected bids for him from Barcelona during the transfer window.

The 25-year-old did play for Brazil during the recent international break and while Klopp agreed Coutinho could have come on at some point at City, he said it made more sense to get the player fit and ready for the rest of the season.

“I had to make a decision. We now have seven games in the next three weeks,” Klopp told a news conference yesterday.

“Before he went to Brazil he couldn’t train for about three weeks, so that means now we have to now prepare him for the rest of the season, which is difficult with our fixtures and our schedule.

“So I decided to leave him out for City. We can use this four or five days for real and proper training... He could have played 15-20 minutes for us again in the City game, maybe longer, but I think it makes sense.”

The German also played down suggestions that Coutinho’s failed transfer could have a lingering impact his mindset, saying the player had accepted the disappointment of not getting a move to Spain.

“Nothing that I’m aware of was unforgivable,” Klopp said. “It wasn’t clear, it was not an easy time, but that is the transfer window and this is the only time when people can make transfers.

“I think we handled it really well... It’s a normal thing, he came in yesterday and accepted the situation.

“And now we should use the situation with a wonderful player in our squad who wants to get fit and play for this club.”

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been ruled out of today’s match against Liverpool with a calf injury.

Meanwhile his Belgian countryman, forward Eden Hazard, could return for champions Chelsea’s Premier League clash at Leicester City today after fully recovering from the fractured ankle he sustained in June.

The 26-year-old is yet to play for Chelsea this season but made two substitute appearances for Belgium.

“Now he is available, he is in the list for the squad,” Chelsea manager Antonio Conte told reporters yesterday.

“He is improving a lot, he is working very strong to be ready. Now I can count on him. I have to decide the right minutes, but he is available now.”

Conte had initially expressed surprise that Hazard had been called up for international duty, although he later softened his stance saying it could be beneficial for the player.

“When there is a bad injury and surgery, it is normal to pay attention to his recovery,” Conte said yesterday. – Reuters ● Fixtures: See TV Highlights

Philippe Coutinho