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Liverpool will welcome Philippe Coutinho back as soon as he is available, says Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has opened the door for Philippe Coutinho to return to his squad as soon as the Brazilian declares himself available following Barcelona’s failed attempts to sign him.
Coutinho has been absent with a sore back since being told in a face-to-face meeting by Fenway Sports Group President Michael Gordon there was no chance of him being sold during this transfer window. Ahead of Wednesday’s second leg qualifier with Hoffenheim, Klopp also revealed the midfielder has been absent from the training ground in recent days with illness.
However, Klopp was emphatic when asked if he is prepared to accept Coutinho back at the earliest opportunity.
“Why do you ask if everything is ok between me and him? That was the question right?” Klopp responded.
“Of course. Indeed. Absolutely. 100 per cent.”
When asked if any meetings were planned or anticipated, Klopp said: “It’s 100% clear that nothing changed, I said already, nothing changed.
“Phil can't start tomorrow because on top (of the back problem) he's now ill.
If he started training again tomorrow it would take time (to be available for selection) because he hasn't trained for a long time. I have no idea in this moment. It depends when he's back.”
Liverpool have not expected Coutinho to return until the transfer window shuts.
However, he has been named in the Brazil squad to face Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on September 1.
Liverpool have no authority to withdraw the player citing his injury absence for his club. Should Coutinho make himself available for his country, it would be curious should he return to Merseyside and not be considered fit for Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City the following weekend.
There are suggestions in Spain that Barcelona have now accepted Coutinho will not be sold this summer, although no such information has been communicated directly to Liverpool – nor would it expected to be.
Liverpool informed the La Liga side all bids would be rejected when they dismissed the first attempt to sign Coutinho, but it did not dissuade Barcelona from submitting two more futile offers.