WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2015: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia in action against West Bromwich Albion FC during the Premier League match at the Hawthorns. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Coutinho and Can make Liverpool pre-season return in Under-21s match

Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can got their first playing minutes of pre-season when they lined up for the Reds’ under-21s on Sunday afternoon.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2015: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia in action against West Bromwich Albion FC during the Premier League match at the Hawthorns. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Coutinho and Can returned to training early last week, later than the rest of the squad due to their international commitments with Brazil and Germany at the Copa America and Euro Under-21s, respectively.

They both played the opening 45 minutes for Michael Beale’s side against Porto B – with the Portuguese side running out 2-0 winners.

Can was used in the defensive midfield role many expect him to move into this season for Brendan Rodgers’ first-team, while Coutinho was just ahead in the midfield three, alongside Cameron Brannagan.

The match was part of the Steel Park Cup, a 2-day tournament hosted by Corby Town. Liverpool drew their other game, 3-3 vs PSV Eindhoven on Saturday. Jack Dunn scored two and Yesil the other.