No matter how protective Jurgen Klopp is over his players, it will be incredibly difficult for him to overlook the opportunity to start Philippe Coutinho tomorrow.
The Brazilian has only recently returned to action and made his comeback from injury on Wednesday night when he came on for 30 minutes in the League Cup semi-final defeat to Southampton.
His presence could be too much to ignore heading into such a pivotal Premier League clash with Manchester United with Klopp’s men looking to go eight points clear of their opponents.
Jamie Redknapp believes Liverpool’s disappointing results of late means Klopp has to start the forward at Old Trafford.
He told Sky Sports: “These two teams pretty much pick themselves when everyone is fit, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Philippe Coutinho play from the start. If they had won the last three games they might not rush him back, but it’s a case of needs must now.”
We wouldn’t go as far to label it as ‘needs must’ but Coutinho’s quality could be key in rediscovering the spark to Liverpool’s attacking play that has faded away slightly over the past few weeks.
His ability to conjure something special from out of nothing will not only drive his teammates to believe they can win but it will give Manchester United something else to think about.
A match winner like Coutinho has to play in a game of this magnitude.