Liverpool Manager, Jurgen78 Klopp, has expressed satisfaction that Coutinho is easing his way towards full fitness after an ankle ligament injury.
The former Inter Milan playmaker started a game for the first time since Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Sunderland in late November. “It was good and I am really happy,” said Klopp, whose side will host second-tier Wolverhampton Wanderers in round four of the FA Cup at the weekend.
“It was really important for us. He played 60 minutes and it was the perfect intensity, so it’s good for him and good for us.” Klopp defended his decision to make wholesale changes to the team that lost to Swansea at the weekend, saying that it would be “idiotic” to retain the same side due to fixture congestion.
“We had a lot of young players and one of the challenges was that they were playing live on television against a fourth division side,” Klopp said.
“Everyone thinks you’re three or four classes better and you’re feeling embarrassed when you lose a challenge. We fixed that at halftime, but it was a tough game.”
