Philippe Coutinho ready to start against Burnley after 'Liverpool family' welcomes him back with open arms, confirms Jurgen Klopp

  • Liverpool look to bounce back from loss to Manchester City this weekend
  • Philippe Coutinho is yet to start a game for the Reds this season through injury
  • He handed in a transfer request amid interest from Barcelona this summer
  • But Jurgen Klopp believes the fans' welcome was 'sensitive' against Sevilla 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Philippe Coutinho is ready for a starting berth against Burnley on Saturday.

The Brazilian made his first appearance of the season against Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday following a summer spent in transfer limbo, as Liverpool batted away three massive bids from Barcelona.

And Klopp is grateful that Liverpool fans willingly welcomed him back, after admitting he was unsure of how the crowd would react following the Brazilian's transfer request last month.

Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho (left) is ready for Burnley this weekend, says Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho (left) is ready for Burnley this weekend, says Jurgen Klopp

The Reds boss was happy how the fans welcomed Coutinho back against Sevilla this week

The Reds boss was happy how the fans welcomed Coutinho back against Sevilla this week

But the manager, who will be without Sadio Mane this weekend due to a three-match ban, believes Coutinho is prepared to fill his boots up top.


'You can build up, you can get minutes when you start,' Klopp said when asked about the Brazilian's fitness state. 'This is not the moment when I talk about the line-up of tomorrow, but he should be ready. 

'It was really nice how the crowd welcomed him, no one was 100 per cent certain of this but we as a Liverpool family were sensitive enough to do this. 

'He trained outstanding(ly) in the sessions so far since he is back. The game was not perfect but that's how it is after the long break.'

The Brazilian was 'not perfect', admits Klopp, but his return is a huge boost for Liverpool

The Brazilian was 'not perfect', admits Klopp, but his return is a huge boost for Liverpool

Liverpool will be without Sadio Mane, who received a red card against Manchester City

Liverpool will be without Sadio Mane, who received a red card against Manchester City

Mane's absence will be felt by Liverpool, with the Senegalese having scored three goals in four league games this season.

But Klopp confirmed he has the squad depth and talent in those key areas to ensure Mane's ban will not affect his side's dazzling front line.

'There will be moments where he cannot play or should not play. We have options. Roberto (Firmino) already played left wing, Phil can play there, Alex (Oxlade-Chamberlain) can play there. 

'That’s all good. We can change the system, we can do a lot of things.

'It's always difficult to replace top-class players but we did it well towards the end of last season when we had to play without him.'  

But Klopp believes he has enough firepower to ensure Mane's absence is not felt this weekend

But Klopp believes he has enough firepower to ensure Mane's absence is not felt this weekend