---
title: "Klopp: Coutinho could start against Burnley"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/first-team/klopp-coutinho-start-burnley/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "First Team"
published: "2017-09-15T17:17:34Z"
modified: "2017-09-15T17:17:34Z"
---

# Klopp: Coutinho could start against Burnley

Philippe Coutinho is in contention to make his first start of the season against Burnley on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

Coutinho, who handed in a transfer request in the summer, came on as a substitute in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla.

With Sadio Mane suspended following his red card against Manchester City, the 25-year-old could fill the void on the left wing.

Klopp, as quoted by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11036656/philippe-coutinho-could-start-for-liverpool-vs-burnley-says-jurgen-klopp), says he has seen enough on the training ground to convince him that the Brazilian is fit enough to start.

> He should be ready.
>
> It was really nice how the crowd welcomed him \[in midweek\].
>
> Nobody was 100 per cent sure about this, but I am really happy that we were, as a Liverpool family, sensitive enough to do it exactly like this.

![Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/09/846588400.jpg)

> He has trained outstanding in the few sessions we’ve had so far together since he was back.
>
> The game was not perfect of course, but that’s how it is after a long break. It helped him and helped us and for sure he is ready \[for us\] to think about.

As quoted by the [Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/simon-mignolet-still-liverpool-number-13626104), Klopp also revealed that Simon Mignolet is set to return after Loris Karius was handed a start against Sevilla. The German says Mignolet will play the vast majority of games but has been impressed by Karius’ displays.

> Simon Mignolet is No.1. I said it already. At the end of the season, he will have 85 or 87 per cent of all games I think.
>
> There will be other games, like the last one in the Champions League, where Loris Karius plays.
>
> I can’t remember one mistake, so he is in good shape and is a good goalkeeper – good for us, that’s all.