Coutinho cuts short his comeback

PHILIPPE COUTINHO persuaded Jurgen Klopp to substitute him towards the end of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Burnley after cramping up in his first Premier League match of the season.

The Brazilian who handed in a transfer request last summer to try to force a move to Barcelona was given a great ovation at Anfield after being restored to Klopp’s starting line-up and responded with an excellent display for 77 minutes before forcing the manager into taking him off. Klopp had originally wanted Coutinho (right) to stay on the pitch and signalled for Roberto Firmino and James Milner to be withdrawn for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke but after Milner’s name had been read out over the tannoy, the former England international remained in Liverpool’s midfield as Coutinho gestured he wanted to come off. ‘Coutinho did well. He needs rhythm and was getting better as the game went on,’ explained Klopp afterwards. ‘When I was making the changes, he gave the thumbs up which I misunderstood, I thought he was OK.

‘Then when the players got their drinks, he said it was maybe a bit of cramp so we thought it was maybe better to bring him off.’