The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Liverpool boss only focused on play-off
Manager insists talk of Coutinho set aside until he is fit for selection
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has put thoughts of want-away Philippe Coutinho out of his mind as he concentrates on the vitally-important Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim tonight.
The Brazil international submitted a transfer request on Friday just a couple of hours after club owners Fenway Sports Group issued a statement insisting he would not be sold after two unsuccessful bids from Barcelona.
Coutinho is sidelined with a back injury which has delayed his start to the new season – he did not travel with the squad to Germany – and Klopp insists until the 25-year-old is fit again he cannot waste time thinking about him and his position.
“There’s nothing to say about it. I really understand everybody is interested in it, but at this moment I’m not thinking about it,” he said.
“I will answer questions but I’m not in the car, on the way to this press conference, thinking, ‘If they ask this question, what can I say?’, because I have to think about the (training) session in a few minutes.
“It was always like this. I work with the players I have, I don’t think about the players I don’t have at the moment. If they’re injured, whatever, you cannot change, it’s the same situation for me.
“He cannot play for Liverpool in this moment and how everybody can imagine, that’s quite a blow for us.
“We know a few days about it, so we have been able to prepare for this game without him, like we have been able to prepare without Adam Lallana, without Daniel Sturridge.”
Coutinho dominated proceedings in Hoffenheim despite being more than 700 miles away on Merseyside.
With just over two weeks remaining of the transfer window Liverpool are adamant he will not be leaving despite suggestions of the player’s discontent.
The Coutinho issue continues to overshadow what is a pivotal week for Klopp’s side.
Having finished fourth last season they knew they would have to face a playoff to make the Champions League proper but being drawn against Hoffenheim, who finished fourth in the Bundesliga, presents a difficult task.
Victory in the tie is worth an initial £13 million and, should they make the group stage, Liverpool would expect to receive at least £35m.
Klopp did offer some good news on the fitness of striker Sturridge but, unfortunately for him, it will not help him in Germany.
“(Sturridge) is in a good way. We had a talk this morning, he is really close, he looked good yesterday,” said the Reds boss.
“Two more sessions and he will be available for the weekend.”
Right-back Nathaniel Clyne is still absent after hamstring and back injuries.
He cannot play for Liverpool in this moment and how everybody can imagine, that’s quite a blow for us. JURGEN KLOPP