LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 26, 2016: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia lies injured against Sunderland during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jurgen Klopp on Coutinho injury, Lallana return, Sturridge & Firmino not training

Jurgen Klopp has provided an injury update on Liverpool quartet Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge.

The Reds take on Leeds United in the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night, with Klopp expected to make a number of changes against Championship opposition.

Some of these will be enforced by injury, with both Coutinho and Firmino withdrawn during Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Sunderland, and Lallana and Sturridge already unavailable.

Speaking ahead of the clash on Monday afternoon, Klopp assessed the conditions of those on the treatment table.

“Phil’s scan is this afternoon, and then we will know more,” he said.

“Adam is in a very good way, close to team training, but not ready for the game.

“Daniel is not in team training, and the same with Roberto.

“Yesterday was still painful. It’s something we have to wait for. I think it will be OK, but I’m not sure in the moment.

“[There are] a few knocks here and there, so we have to wait until this afternoon.”

Coutinho will undergo a scan on a suspected ankle injury on Monday, and is expected to be out for a lengthy spell, while Klopp has been decidedly skeptical over Sturridge’s return.

The German seems more optimistic on Lallana and Firmino, however, and it is likely that both will be fit to feature against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.


With all four out against Leeds, however, Klopp is set to turn to Divock Origi, who scored after replacing Coutinho on Saturday.

“There’s no alternative to being patient. Moan everyday? Talk to me everyday?” he said, with Origi making his longest league appearance of the season against the Black Cats, at 56 minutes.

“That’s the way it works. It wasn’t the most easy time for him, but it’s not that it’s the worst time in his life.

“The group is very respectful. It’s a good group, so how we handle the players—as long as they want and as long as they work—they can get all the help they want.

“It’s the same for Divock and a few other players. If you have a quality group it’s more difficult to go through the door.

“It’s not that serious or hard. It’s not nice, but it’s training, with good people around. That’s good and he’s in a good way again.”

As Klopp attests, he has the quality to navigate injury issues for some of his key players—however, Coutinho’s problem is still a major concern, with an update due to follow on Monday.

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