Report: Liverpool hires private jet to return Coutinho, Firmino

Liverpool isn't prepared to field jet-lagged players weighted down by bad in-flight meals in the Merseyside derby.

To ensure the prompt returns of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino for Saturday's visit from neighbour Everton, the Reds' brass has rented a private jet to bring back the Brazilian duo from World Cup qualifying duty in South America, according to the Guardian's Andy Hunter.

The pair started in last Thursday's impressive 4-1 win in Uruguay, and they will reportedly board the aircraft following Tuesday's meeting with Paraguay in Sao Paulo. The match is set to start at 8.45 p.m. ET (1.45 a.m. GMT), allowing the forwards just two days to recuperate and train before a 7.30 a.m. ET (12.30 p.m. GMT) kickoff at Anfield.

Liverpool has previously partnered with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain to share travel costs for the return of players via private jet, but it isn't known whether Fernandinho, Marquinhos, and Thiago Silva will clamber aboard on this occasion. Sadio Mane was also hastily jetted back to Liverpool after representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Coutinho's partnership up top with Barcelona's Neymar continues to thrive for Tite's lot, and Firmino has neatly slotted into the middle of the front three in Gabriel Jesus' absence. Before the Paraguay clash, Brazil holds a seven-point cushion above second-place Uruguay in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification table.

Coutinho and Firmino will then be plunged straight into the cauldron of a fiercely competed Merseyside derby.

"The rivalry is like any derby - it's intense. I've experienced these games both home and away and the intensity is equal with the fans," Coutinho told Premier League Productions.

"You're always on TV, it's one of the most difficult games and I don't think this one will be any different."