Tuesday, Wembley KO 8pm
WORLD CUP HAUNTS SEAMAN
PHILIPPE COUTINHO is ready to confront the anger of Jurgen Klopp by declaring himself fit to face England.
The Brazilian playmaker has missed Liverpool’s last three games with a thigh injury – but decided to continue his rehabilitation on international duty.
Coutinho was left out of Brazil’s 3-1 victory over Japan in Lyon on Friday.
But the expectation is that he will be ready for Tuesday’s friendly against the Three Lions at Wembley.
And that will not impress Kop boss Klopp – who has seen his Samba star make just eight starts for Liverpool this season after a proposed £ 90million move to Barcelona was blocked.
The Catalan club have retained their interest in the 25-year-old – and now Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring Coutinho after being urged to sign the attacking midfielder by his Brazil teammate Neymar.
Powerless
Liverpool have insisted throughout that Coutinho is staying at Anfield.
The Merseysiders were unhappy when he decided to link up with Brazil when he required treatment.
But they were powerless to prevent him joining the squad, and his national medics insist that he is winning his race to be fit for Wembley.
Competition for places in coach Tite’s squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup is fierce.
No fewer than seven of his players ply their trade in England – and there is a possibility that Manchester City keeper Ederson could win his second cap after impressing at the Etihad MENTION Brazil to David Seaman and the eyebrows go up with a shoulder shrug.
The former Arsenal keeper won 75 England caps. Yet it is the World Cup quarter-final against Brazil in 2002 that is forever highlighted.
Ronaldinho’s free-kick 30 yards out sailed over Seaman for a 2-1 Brazil win in Japan.
England’s World Cup dreams were over. For Seaman, however, the nightmare continues to this day. And all because of a freak goal.
“Oh yes, it still gets talked about,” he said. “It was like a one-in-a-million goal and you would have thought it was the only thing I will be remembered for in my time with England.
“But I like to think I made some pretty decent saves as well. No one ever talks about them – it is always the goal against Brazil.” His counterpart that day was Marcos, who revealed: “Ronaldinho told me afterwards it was a free-kick that went wrong. Seaman was not to blame, not at all.”
That honest admission does not carry much weight. Even now, Seaman gets ribbed.
“Most of the time it is goodhearted,” he said. “But if it starts getting a little bit tiresome, I just remind people of the nine medals I have got at home. That tends to do the trick.”
Now the responsibility of facing Brazil has passed to someone else. And Seaman is optimistic that the future of England in the goalkeeping department is in safe hands.
He said. “The good thing is they are all Premier League regulars – but I still think Joe Hart is the best No.1 for me.”
David Seaman supports Bob Wilson’s Willow Foundation and the British Heart Foundation.