Liverpool could use Philippe Coutinho for Manchester City trip as they look to move on from Barcelona transfer saga

  • Jurgen Klopp will consider naming Philippe Coutinho for Saturday's crunch tie
  • The Brazilian did not feature in Liverpool's opening three Premier League games
  • Coutinho handed in a transfer request amid strong interest from Barcelona
  • He came off the bench for Brazil in both of their World Cup qualifying matches  

Philippe Coutinho will be considered for Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City on Saturday.

The Brazilian is yet to appear for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, having been at the centre of a summer transfer saga which saw Barcelona make a series of huge bids worth up to £138million.

At one stage, Coutinho handed in a transfer request, amid strong interest from the Nou Camp. But Liverpool’s Boston-based owners, Fenway Sports Group, made it clear in a statement that they would not be selling the player.

Jurgen Klopp hopes to include Philippe Coutinho in his Liverpool team to face Manchester City

Jurgen Klopp hopes to include Philippe Coutinho in his Liverpool team to face Manchester City

And the American owners held firm, with no move forthcoming before the closure of the transfer window.


Coutinho, 25, missed the first three Premier League matches and Liverpool’s Champions League play-off with what was described as a back injury, keeping him out of action while the issue rumbled on. 

However, he came off the bench twice in the space of five days for his native Brazil, scoring in a 2-0 victory over Ecuador last Thursday.

The midfielder scored for Brazil as he made two appearances in recent World Cup qualifiers

The midfielder scored for Brazil as he made two appearances in recent World Cup qualifiers

Brazil manager Tite declared Coutinho would be fit to play 90 minutes for Liverpool

Brazil manager Tite declared Coutinho would be fit to play 90 minutes for Liverpool

And, speaking before Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Colombia, Brazil manager Tite declared that Coutinho was ‘fit to play 90 minutes’. The playmaker flew back to England on a private jet with players he may well be facing at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

As is now common, Premier League clubs whose players are on international duty often split the cost of bringing them back to the country.

Coutinho was pictured alongside City’s Brazilian trio of Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Ederson, his own Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino and Chelsea’s Willian.

City also paid for Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero to return to the UK after they featured for Argentina.

Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain trained at Melwood for the first time with his new team-mates on Wednesday morning. The £35m deadline-day signing from Arsenal is also set to be in the squad for Manchester.

Coutinho has not played for Liverpool since their pre-season friendly fixtures

Coutinho has not played for Liverpool since their pre-season friendly fixtures

Coutinho, Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, Ederson and Roberto Firmino en route to England

Coutinho, Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, Ederson and Roberto Firmino en route to England