Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Championship side Leeds United in the League Cup yesterday, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the club will be without the services of talisman Philippe Coutinho for the next “five and a few weeks” after the Brazilian took a nasty knock to the ankle in the early stages of their win over Sunderland at the weekend.
“Philippe picked up the injury being incredibly brave for the team and showing great hunger and desire in the opponents’ penalty area,” explained the German, full of praise for the 24-year old. “People often talk about Philippe’s skill, touch and magic, but not often about his fighting qualities and courage. The reason he is a top player is because he has that fight as well as the ability. It is a good example to young players,” added Klopp. “Being skilful doesn’t mean you can’t be a warrior as well. I think we have a few players who prove this.”
The Reds saw their way through to the semi-finals of the League Cup with comfortable win over Championship side Leeds United with Divock Origi breaking the deadlock midway through the second half and 17-year old Ben Woodburn adding the winner to become the club’s youngest ever goalscorer. One step closer to winning a trophy and still competing at the top of the table, Coutinho is going to be missed over the next couple of weeks, but we’re no longer a one man team.
“Coutinho is a big loss, but the way we’ve been playing this year has been absolutely fantastic and it’s not just about Coutinho,” Reds legend Ian Rush, a man who knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net, told talkSPORT. “Firmino has come good, he was absolutely fantastic on Saturday, Lallana is coming back from injury and we have a good all round squad for scoring goals.”
