Jurgen Klopp is looking forward to selecting Coutinho again and has no qualms with the Brazilian playmaker.
The boss has previously stated that he only wants players at the club who want to be here; those who want to ‘push the train’ rather than board it – but the Brazilian handed in a public transfer request the day before the season started.
FSG, not Klopp, refused it and have rejected Barcelona’s advances, meaning Coutinho is expected to stay at Liverpool as an active member of the first-team for at least one more season.
The boss seems happy at the situation, careful not to criticise the 25-year-old or name an exact return date.
“Of course, everything is okay between me and him,” Klopp told last night’s press-conference before the Hoffenheim game, cited by Sky Sports. “Absolutely. 100 per cent.
“I never give any comment to whatever’s written or said but it’s 100 per cent clear that nothing’s changed.
“I said already, my English is not good enough to give five different answers and always the same question, so nothing changed.”
Many Reds would like Phil in the side this evening. After all, it’s a mammoth Champions League game of vital importance and he’s paid very well to win us these kind of matches, but according to Klopp, he’s no unwell having got over his back injury.
“He can’t start tomorrow because on top of that, he’s now ill,” the German added.
“It will take time because he has not trained for a long time. I’ve no idea at this moment (when he will return), we would have to check when he is back.”
In all likelihood, he’ll be considered again after the international break.