Coutinho questions remain as Klopp turns to Karius for Liverpool v Sevilla

Dom Farrell

Coutinho questions remain as Klopp turns to Karius for Liverpool v Sevilla image

Jurgen Klopp kept fans guessing over Philippe Coutinho's prospects of Champions League involvement for Liverpool against Sevilla, but confirmed Loris Karius will get the nod in goal.

Coutinho was left out of Liverpool's squad for Saturday's 5-0 Premier League thrashing at Manchester City, agreeing with manager Klopp that he needed to do work to build his fitness after his absence over the opening weeks of the season.

Liverpool 4/6 to beat Sevilla

Back injuries and illness were cited as the reasons for the Brazil international's absence against the backdrop of a transfer request and a succession of bids from Barcelona that Liverpool rebuffed.

Klopp told a pre-match news conference the playmaker is fit to feature at Anfield on Wednesday but refused to venture any further.

"I could give you an idea at this stage," he said. "But I'm sure Liverpool supporters around the world are ready to wait another 24 hours.

"He is fit, he is healthy. All the information about the line-up you will have to wait until tomorrow. But he is here."

Klopp was more willing to discuss the goalkeeping position, where Karius will step in for regular first-choice keeper Simon Mignolet.

"What I can say is, if nothing happens overnight, Loris Karius will play – that’s true," he said, before adding Mohamed Salah will be assessed after being excused from training on Tuesday due to illness.

"He was in and the doctor told me Mo Salah can train, but what would be best for him is if he doesn’t have to," he explained.

"He has a little bit of a sore throat. It shouldn’t be that serious [but] he can’t spread the virus if there is one.

"At this moment we expect him back in the morning for normal training."

Dom Farrell

Dom Farrell Photo

Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.