LEICESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 23, 2017: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia celebrates scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Philippe Coutinho declares himself “100% fit” after groin injury

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho believes he is “100 percent fit” after missing the last three games for the club with a groin injury.

Coutinho picked up the knock in training, and was absent for the Reds’ successive victories over Huddersfield Town, Maribor and West Ham.

He still joined the Brazil squad for their friendlies against Japan and England, however, and trained as part of Tite’s full session at Craven Cottage on Sunday evening.

The 25-year-old is expected to take to the field at Wembley on Tuesday night, and could line up opposite Liverpool team-mate Joe Gomez.

With the Reds back in action against Southampton at Anfield on November 18, Coutinho provided a positive update on his fitness.

“Unfortunately, I could not play for Liverpool in the past three games because of injury,” he told reporters.

“Now I feel 100 percent fit, I have recovered and I am in a good shape to be available for the game against England.

“I never want to miss any Brazil games. I am honoured to wear this shirt whenever I can.

“England will be our first European opponent under Tite. We are looking forward to battling with them

“They have a lot of quality players who operate in a top league like the Premier League. It will no doubt be a difficult encounter.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, September 25, 2017: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia smiles during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group E match against FC Spartak Moscow. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

It is still unlikely Coutinho will remain a Liverpool player in the long term, having requested a transfer last summer following interest from Barcelona.

But the playmaker did express his gratitude for being able to turn out in the Premier League, having made the switch from Inter Milan at the beginning of 2013.

“Every day, I work harder than before to improve myself and become a better all-around footballer,” he added.

“Thanks to football, I live in England today. Thanks to football, I am able to feed my family. Football has been very generous for me.”

Coutinho has scored four goals and assisted a further three in nine appearances for the Reds, this season, having struck excellent form after recovering from a back injury.

If he is to leave Merseyside, with Barcelona expected to revive their efforts to sign him as early as January, the hope is he can help fire Liverpool to success before he departs.

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