Philippe Coutinho misses Hoffenheim with illness, Jurgen Klopp insists no issues

ByPete Sharland

Updated 22/08/2017 at 19:46 GMT

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho will miss the Champions League play-off second leg against Hoffenheim, manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

Coutinho has missed the past few weeks with a back injury and speaking ahead of the Hoffenheim game Klopp revealed that now the Brazilian is suffering with illness.

Speculation persists that Coutinho may move to Barcelona but Liverpool have kept a firm stance, rejecting the latest offer that was worth up to £118 million.

Klopp said that once Coutinho is fully fit he will welcome the player back to the squad, adding that there are no issues with him.

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"Of course (I would welcome Coutinho back)," Klopp said.

"You asked is everything okay between us? I answered with of course. Yes, indeed, absolutely, 100%.

"Phil can't start tomorrow because on top (of the back problem) he's now ill.

Philippe Coutinho

Image credit: Getty Images

"If he started training again tomorrow it would take time (to be available for selection) because he hasn't trained for a long time.

"I have no idea in this moment (when he will play again). It depends when he's back."

Klopp also reiterated the club's position that Coutinho is not for sale.

"It's 100% clear that nothing has changed," he added. "My English isn't good enough to give 500 different answers to the same question."

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