Klopp happy to have Coutinho back

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been discussing Philippe Coutinho’s return to full training.

The Brazilian is yet to play for the Reds this season following him handing in a transfer request at the club. Coutinho was keen to join Barcelona but Liverpool refused all offers, and now the playmaker will see out the season at Anfield.

Klopp addressed the media today and, as quoted by the Evening Standard, spoke of how he was happy with the level that Coutinho returned at.

We always have the same decision to make: ‘Does he need training or can he play?’ and all that stuff.

Yes, he will now do a little bit more than the other boys but he showed up in a very, very good mood and looks really promising.

The former Inter Milan midfielder featured heavily for Brazil over the international break, and has recovered from his back injury.

I know what people think but Phil had the back problem a few weeks ago and couldn’t train so that means he missed around about three weeks. Yes, he went to the national team and trained normally, but now we have to prepare for a normal season so we have seven games (before the next international break).

Coutinho isn’t set to play against Manchester City on Saturday, though, with Klopp stating that it wouldn’t ‘make sense’ for the Brazilian to feature.

We saw training this morning and thought, ‘Okay, maybe we should use him immediately’, because he was really good, but that doesn’t make sense.

Klopp and Liverpool fans alike will be encouraged by the fact that Coutinho has returned from his short tenure in Brazil in a “very, very good mood” as the Reds look to continue their positive start to the season.