Jurgen Klopp confirms Philippe Coutinho will start against Crystal Palace

Philippe Coutinho set to return to Liverpool starting line-up against Crystal Palace

PHILIPPE COUTINHO will return for Liverpool against Crystal Palace at Anfield, confirms Jurgen Klopp.

 

The Brazilian playmaker, who scored twice against Chelsea in last week's 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge, missed Thursday's 1-0 victory over Rubin Kazan in the Europa League - where fellow in-form team-mate Jordon Ibe scored the winner. 

However, Klopp told reporters that the 23-year-old will be back in the side when the Eagles visit Merseyside. 

Klopp said: "Coutinho is okay [to play]. He told me he was okay on Thursday too! The same with Adam Lallana who played some minutes. 

"We had some small problems after the game in Kazan, which is normal, and we have to wait until the last hours to see who can play, but there is nothing serious."

Liverpool's victory over the Russian side extended their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions, as Klopp remains unbeaten since replacing Brendan Rodgers as Kop boss. 

And the 48-year-old hopes there European success can help them extend their run after dismissing suggestions that the Europa League is a distraction. 

"We have to play. We cannot rest. That is our situation. This has been really good," said Klopp. 

"For the moment, everything is okay. There are many games but the Europa League is not a problem for English teams. No winter break might be the problem. It is not a problem for me because I knew about it before (I came to Liverpool).

"If you think we have too many matches, then stop playing at Christmas."