Philippe Coutinho left out of Liverpool squad for Premier League clash with Man City but boss Jurgen Klopp hints he is ready to forget Barcelona transfer request
Attacker has yet to play for Reds this season do to mystery back injury as he tried to push through failed move to Nou Camp
PHILIPPE COUTINHO has been left out of Liverpool's squad to face Manchester City on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
But the Reds boss has insisted the Brazilian trying to force a move to Barcelona last month was "not unforgivable".
The wantaway star has yet to feature for the Reds' this season due to a 'stress-related' back injury - but was still deemed fit enough to play two games for Brazil during the international break.
Klopp has always maintained that Coutinho, 25, is suffering from a genuine medical problem despite claims he was refusing to play in a bid to force a move to the Nou Camp.
Liverpool have claimed seven points from three Prem games in his absence, and the German revealed he has decided the playmaker will again not feature this weekend.
Speaking before the Etihad clash, he said: “We have to try and prepare him for the rest of the season. I have decided not to include him.
“We have all the numbers from the Brazilian FA, intensity of training, all OK.
“He could have played 15-20 minutes, and been OK. But he agreed completely.
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“We had a very good talk. He was in a very good mood and training was even better. We have seven games in three weeks.
“There will not be time to train.”
Coutinho cut a glum figure when he returned to Melwood for Liverpool training this week for the first time since the transfer window closed.
The Reds rejected four bids from Barca over the summer - including a final £138million offer as deadline day loomed - despite the player handing in a transfer request on the eve of the new Premier League season.
And Klopp hinted that both he, and Coutinho, are ready to sweep the issue under the carpet and focus on the season ahead.
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He insisted: “Maybe it’s not best to focus on that time. The transfer window, things like this happens. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last time.
“I think we handled it really well. It’s normal that a lot of things come up in a situation like this.
“It’s not unforgiveable. It’s a normal thing. He’s accepted the situation. It’s not like I had to say anything about it.
“He’s a wonderful player, who wants to get fit and play for this club.
“It’s absolutely no problem and I’m really fine with the situation.”
Klopp will, however, be able to call upon £35million signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for their clash with Pep Guardiola's title rivals.
He added: "He can play in a few positions. He’s a very good football player.
“Good in small spaces, very good in big spaces. Good dribbler, good passer. I really like and you want him on the pitch as often as possible.
“In the system we play at the moment, he can play in four positions.
“Both No.8s and both wingers. We play in a specific way and we want to use him in these positions.”