Philippe Coutinho returned to Liverpool training this week (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted Philippe Coutinho is unlikely to go straight back into his starting line up against Manchester City, but that he is in a good place despite being denied a transfer to Barcelona.

The Brazil international was a priority target for Barca for much of the summer, only for Liverpool to reject a number of bids as they repeatedly insisted they’d on to their star player.

The Reds have since made a fine start to the season, with their attack of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah really clicking in their first three Premier League matches.

Klopp may have little reason to worry about getting Coutinho straight back into the side with his attackers in such fine form, and he’s admitted he’s not convinced the playmaker is ready to return right away.

Jurgen Klopp is optimistic about Coutinho’s return (Picture: Getty)

‘Yes, he went to the national team and trained normally, but now we have to prepare for a normal season so we have seven games (before the next international break),’ Klopp explained.

‘We saw training this morning and thought, ‘Okay, maybe we should use him immediately’, because he was really good, but that doesn’t make sense.’

The German tactician also responded to questions over Coutinho’s mood after he was blocked from moving to the Nou Camp.

Klopp fought to keep Coutinho from joining Barcelona this summer (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool 2017/18 Fixtures

Brighton (H) - Sun May 13
Real Madrid (N) - Champions League -Sat May 26

The 25-year-old’s international team-mate Neymar commented that he was very low after being forced to stay at Anfield, but Klopp insists he’s returned to the club in good spirits.

‘Of course – all good, all good. Nothing else to say, actually, so he’s back and we had a really good conversation, so good,’ the manager said.

He added: ‘He showed up in a very, very good mood and looks really promising.’

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