Jurgen Klopp has insisted “nothing has changed” regarding Philippe Coutinho‘s Liverpool future, despite the Brazilian’s transfer request.
Coutinho made his intentions clear in the buildup to the Reds’ Premier League opener away to Watford, providing an unwelcome sideshow for Klopp’s side.
Speaking after the 3-3 draw at Vicarage Road, the German said “you have to ask the club” whether the Brazilian is set to depart.
But ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League play-off first-leg clash with Hoffenheim, Klopp revealed that “nothing has changed,” instead focusing on the midfielder’s injury problem.
“Nothing has changed in the last few days. Not on one side or the other side,” he told reporters.
“I’m not sure exactly what you’re asking about. He’s not available for us in the moment. That’s the main issue, if you want.
“He cannot play for Liverpool in this moment [because of his injury], and that’s—how you can imagine—quite a blow for us.
“But we’ve known for a few days about it so we’ve had time to prepare.”
Coutinho has continued to report for treatment at Melwood over the weekend and on Monday morning, but did not travel with the Liverpool squad to Sinsheim.
“We have a session in a few minutes, I work with the players I have,” Klopp continued.
“If they’re injured or whatever, you can’t change the situation. I’ve said everything I can say about it.”
Coutinho is among five first-team absentees, alongside Nathaniel Clyne (back), Adam Lallana (thigh), Daniel Sturridge (thigh) and Danny Ings (knee).
Lallana is set to miss the next two months with a problem picked up during the Audi Cup in Munich, but Klopp has revealed Sturridge should return for Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace.
“Sturridge is in a good way, he was really close [to being available],” he revealed. “Two more sessions and he will be ready for the weekend.”
The striker missed the final two games of pre-season having suffered a minor injury against Bayern Munich, but could bolster Klopp’s attacking options for their Anfield bow.
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