Coutinho Update: Liverpool Star Sets Comeback Date Against Man City

Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho is aiming to make his comeback from injury against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve.

Coutinho has been on the sidelines since suffering ankle ligament damage during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield on November 26th following a challenge with Didier Ndong.

After being sent for a scan to determine the full extent of the injury, the Brazilian international was ruled out for at least five or six weeks meaning he was initially not expected to return until the New Year.

However, Coutinho has been making a steady recovery over the past two weeks and is able to walk freely without crutches, and it looks as though the attacker is now eyeing a swift return to action.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com this evening, Coutinho has confirmed that he’s hoping to be back in contention for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s men to Anfield on New Year’s Eve and he also admitted he’s relieved his injury wasn’t a lot worse.

“This is still my hope – to return for this game,”

“The rehab is going really well. I can now walk without crutches and I am working well with the medical team. So I’m pleased with how I am recovering.”

“Straight after the game, when I first saw the pictures and videos of my injury, I was a little scared,”

“But after the scans, of course it was bad, but not as bad as it could have been. I am happy, as it could have been a lot worse.”

Coutinho will still miss the upcoming games against Middlesbrough, Everton and Stoke City but it looks as though he’s ready to step-up his recovery by returning to training soon.

The attacker will need to work hard to get himself fit in time to face City later this month, so he’ll need to get his head down, put on his headphones and concentrate fully on working on his fitness over the coming weeks.

However, it would be a huge boost to Jurgen Klopp if Coutinho was available to face City as the Merseysiders have sorely missed him with Liverpool taking just one point from their two league games against Bournemouth and West Ham during his absence so far.

Those results have seen the Reds drop six points adrift of Chelsea in the title race so I’m sure everything associated with the club is praying Coutinho gets back to full fitness as soon as possible to aid their title push.