Jurgen Klopp confirms Philippe Coutinho will be absent AGAIN for Liverpool against Crystal Palace… but Daniel Sturridge returns
Klopp has been adamant the club have made a decision not to sell the midfielder and will stick to that beyond the deadline
JURGEN KLOPP has revealed that Phillipe Coutinho will miss the Reds' clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday - but Daniel Sturridge 'should be available.'
Coutinho has been sidelined for two weeks and missed the Merseyside club’s 3-3 draw with Watford last week due to a back injury.
While Sturridge injured his thigh after scoring in the pre-season Audi Cup clash against Bayern Munich.
Ahead of Liverpool's first home game of the season, the former Borussia Dortmund boss confirmed the Brazilian's would be absent from his teamsheet, though the England international is poised to return.
"Daniel, yes I would say. He played a part in a full session but always after injuries you have to wait to see how the player has reacted," Klopp said.
He added: "Phil is not available. He’s not in training so far.
"I think it is still the back injury, nobody has told me anything different.
When asked if Coutinho's absence was due to his back injury, Klopp replied: "I think so. I've not been told any different.
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"That is always how it is with injured players. I don't know when he will be back. There's nothing new."
The German also responded to claims from Barcelona's general manager Josep Segura that the Catalans are close to agreeing a deal for Coutinho.
He said: I don't know why other people are saying what they're saying. I don't even know him. I have never met him [Josep Segura]."
“We have already said what we have to say. No news from me. Nobody told me anything different since we spoke last time.
“Since he had a back problem he is not in training. I have nothing bad to say about this."
Barca have been desperate to sure up their attack after losing Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for £198 million.