Jurgen Klopp defends not playing Philippe Coutinho against Man City and says he is set for Liverpool return against Sevilla
Reds face Sevilla on Wednesday and Coutinho is set to make his first appearance of season after failed Barelona move
JURGEN KLOPP will send an SOS to Philippe Coutinho this week.
The Brazilian saw his dream move to Barcelona blocked by Liverpool during the transfer window.
And Kop chief Klopp left his star out of Saturday’s game at Manchester City in which Liverpool were thrashed 5-0.
But Coutinho is needed for the Champions League opener at home to Sevilla on Wednesday.
Klopp said: “This was the decision we took at City — to leave him out. If people blame me for this, no problem, but it was a decision taken for the season.
“He came back after a long flight, after three weeks without playing. We have matches next Wednesday, next Saturday, we play, play, play, play.
“So we thought “Let’s give him three or four days’ proper training — and then he’s available for us which is good news.”
Coutinho will also help to fill the Premier League void left by Sadio Mane’s absence.
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Mane will be banned for three matches, following his sending-off for kicking City keeper Ederson in the head.
The Senegalese forward misses next Saturday’s home Premier League clash against Burnley then back-to-back visits to Leicester in the Carabao Cup and league — but he will be available for the Sevilla game.
Klopp has no doubts about Coutinho’s quality but knows they will need more than just the Brazil ace to get them back on track.
He added: “I’m not sure it’s quite that easy, but if it is that easy — if we bring him in and then everything is great again — then that’s cool. With Phil, we didn’t always create more chances against City in the past.
“But he is a fantastic player. That is really good and hopefully we can use him as quickly as possible. That’s how it is.”
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