Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who has been a victim of transfer speculations to Barcelona, has not recovered from a back injury and will miss Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
Coutinho, who submitted a transfer request last week according to British media reports, missed Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Watford last Saturday and the first leg of their Champions League playoff, a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Tuesday.
“Phil is not available. Not in training so far,” Klopp told reporters on Thursday, adding that he had nothing negative to say about the player’s attitude.
Barcelona’s sporting manager Pep Segura said on Wednesday that the Spanish club were “close” to signing Coutinho, despite Liverpool’s manager and owners saying the 25-year-old is not for sale.
Klopp said on Thursday that nothing had changed with their stance.
“I don’t know why other people are saying what they’re saying (about Coutinho moving to Barcelona). I don’t even know him (Segura). I have never met him,” Klopp said.
“We are not silly, we know it is a very difficult situation – but there’s nothing new to say. It’s not always easy for me to say the 100 percent truth… But this time this is the situation.”
Liverpool have had a relatively quiet transfer window compared to many of their rivals, signing defender Andrew Robertson, winger Mohamed Salah and striker Dominic Solanke.
They have been linked in British media with moves for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Naby Keita from RB Leipzig, but both players’ clubs have said they are not for sale at any price.
Fans have expressed frustration with Liverpool’s failure to invest further in a squad that finished fourth in the Premier League last season, but Klopp said that he was happy with the players he has already.
“The whole market is difficult,” Klopp said.
“If the transfer window had ended yesterday we already have a team I like. The transfer window is a very important time, but it’s also important what we do with the actual team.”
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