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Philippe Coutinho left out of Liverpool squad to face Burnley

Philippe Coutinho scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea
Image: Philippe Coutinho missed Liverpool's trip to Burnley on Monday

Philippe Coutinho was left out of Liverpool's squad to face Burnley after sustaining a slight thigh injury ahead of the match.

Coutinho has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in the January transfer window but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp revealed the Brazilian missed the trip to Turf Moor due to injury, rather than as a result of the speculation surrounding his future at Anfield.

"Phil and Mo [Salah] aren't available, that's why they are not in the squad," Klopp said in his pre-match interview.

"They're both injured, and that's not too cool, but that's how it is.

"The other changes are because we wanted to bring in fresh legs, we wanted to find the right formation for this game today, the right tactics - all that stuff."

Barcelona had a number of bids for Coutinho rejected in the summer and there is speculation the Catalan club could return with another approach for the 25-year-old, who is contracted to the Reds until 2022.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26:  Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates after his side score their third during the Premier League match between L
Image: Jurgen Klopp confirmed the Brazilian was left out of the squad because of an injury

An apparent advertising error by Nike has fuelled speculation Coutinho could leave Anfield in January, after the sportswear giant, who manufacture Barcelona's kit, advertised a Barca shirt on their website with the Brazil international midfielder's name on it.

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Mohamed Salah also missed the clash with the Clarets and Liverpool confirmed the Egyptian had been left out of the squad after suffering a "minor groin injury" in Saturday's home victory over Leicester.

Adam Lallana was brought into the side by Klopp, the England midfielder making his first start in the 2017-18 campaign, while Dominic Solanke was picked to lead the line for the Reds, with Roberto Firmino dropping to the bench.

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