Klopp: No timetable for 'ill' Coutinho's return
Jurgen Klopp spoke to reporters ahead of Wednesday's Champions League play-off second-leg clash with Hoffenheim, and the German gaffer admitted Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho is "ill," and there's no timetable for his return to training.
Initially hampered by a back concern amid speculation of Barcelona interest and numerous bids rejected by Liverpool, Klopp was asked about the fitness of his star Brazilian attacker.
"If Phil would start tomorrow he can’t because on top of the back he is now ill," Klopp said, courtesy of Ian Doyle from the Liverpool Echo. It was not that serious. He has had no training for a long time.
"I have no idea (when he’s back). We’d have to check when he is back," Klopp added.
Related: Liverpool reportedly spurns Barcelona's latest £114M bid for Coutinho
On the heels of a reported third rejected bid in the neighbourhood of £114 million, Klopp has repeatedly denied the links, saying Coutinho - who signed a five-year extension in January 2017 - is staying put.
Further, Klopp has insisted the 25-year-old's absence from training is as a result of a back issue and not due to a reported desire to join the Catalan giant as a replacement for Neymar.
When pressed if relations with Coutinho were still forward-looking, Klopp responded "of course," adding he would "100 percent" welcome the versatile attacker back to Liverpool training.
Liverpool hosts Julian Nagelmann's Hoffenheim for a midweek play-off second-leg with the Merseyside lot boasting a 2-1 advantage courtesy of a Havard Nordtveit own-goal and Trent Alexadner-Arnold's dazzling free-kick finish.