Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on the fitness of Philippe Coutinho, revealing that “it looks rather positive” for a return against Southampton.
Coutinho was forced off after just 13 minutes in Monday night’s 1-0 win away to Watford, suffering a dead leg following a challenge from Adrian Mariappa.
The 24-year-old did not return to training until Thursday, when he took part in a light session at Melwood, having explained that he was “much better.”
And speaking to reporters at Melwood on Friday morning, Klopp said that while he wasn’t “100 percent sure,” but the playmaker’s recovery was looking “rather positive.”
“Phil yesterday was running for the first time. He looked little bit like [goalkeeper coach] John Achterberg, he joked. “But it’s good news.”
“We cannot be 100 percent sure, because we have to wait see how he improves, but in this moment it looks rather positive.”
Adam Lallana took Coutinho’s place at Vicarage Road, and could come into contention for a starting place against his former club on Sunday.
The England international had missed four-and-a-half weeks with a thigh injury, but is now back to full fitness, giving Klopp more options in attack.
He could well start ahead of Coutinho, alongside Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi, if the No. 10 is still not “100 percent.”
Klopp confirmed there was no change in Jordan Henderson‘s recovery, however, with the captain still ruled out with a foot injury and his season looking like being over.
Fan Comments