Klopp upbeat despite Coutinho setback: 'We can handle it'
Jurgen Klopp says there is "no excuse" for his Liverpool ranks not to deliver in the wake of Philippe Coutinho's ankle injury.
The Brazilian had been enjoying his best form since he moved to Merseyside from Inter Milan in 2013, but is expected to miss at least six weeks after receiving a kick to the ankle from Sunderland's Didier Ndong during Saturday's 2-0 win at Anfield.
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Although Coutinho's intelligent movement drags Premier League defences aside for his teammates to capitalise on, and he's collected six goals and five assists in 13 competitive club starts, Klopp is sure second-place Liverpool can continue to strive for its first English title since 1990.
"Phil Coutinho is a really good football player and if we can't use him for the next few days or weeks then every team in the world would feel that. That's how it is but there is no excuse for anything," Klopp told the Guardian's Andy Hunter.
"Phil, as good as he is, cannot decide games on his own even if it looks like that at times. He dribbles, he shoots and he is important but it is really a team performance that we have created. He's a very important part of that but of course we can handle it. It's not the best thing I can imagine or dream about, to show that we can play without Phil, but we have to show it and we will show it."
Liverpool hosts former top-flight foe Leeds United in a League Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, and due to a spate of injuries, Klopp has slim pickings when it comes to rotating his squad.
Related: Liverpool boss Klopp wary of League Cup changes vs. Leeds
Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge are definitely unavailable, while Roberto Firmino is a considerable doubt as he struggles with a thigh issue.