LIVERPOOL CAPTAIN JORDAN Henderson admits that he is powerless to influence Philippe Coutinho’s thinking, after the Brazilian reportedly submitted a transfer request on Friday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are in Germany ahead of Tuesday’s first leg of their Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim and Coutinho, who has a back injury, did not travel with the squad.
“It is obviously a difficult situation for Phil. Whatever I say will not help the situation but as players, we are fully focused on the game,” Henderson told an eve-of-game press conference.
“As players, you expect things in the transfer window to happen and players come and go.
“Of course, if you ask everyone, they want Phil to stay as he is a world-class player. I have had conversations with Phil, it is private, (but) I don’t think I can influence the situation.
“I am close to him and I have a lot of respect for him, but everything that happens is nothing to do with me.”
Klopp, who insisted that he would not think about Coutinho while the player is unfit to play, returns to his home country, where he built his career during spells in charge of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
The Reds coach insisted that it would be a tricky encounter for his side, against a Hoffenheim outfit led by the impressive Julian Nagelsmann, who became the Bundesliga’s youngest-ever coach last year at the age of 28.
“I’m delighted for my agent,” smiled Klopp, who shares an agent with Nagelsmann.
“I’m growing older, I’m an old horse, he’s young. He plays very good football and is a good example of a young and promising coach in Germany.”
Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino, arguably Liverpool’s key player without his compatriot Coutinho, is back at the Rhein-Neckar Arena, where he played for four and a half seasons.
Right-back Nathaniel Clyne, midfielder Adam Lallana and striker Daniel Sturridge are all also injured and did not make the trip.
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#COYGIG
European semi final! Let’s hope it’s a European final, very best of luck!
First the Rugby girls now the Soccer girls. They’re putting us guys to shame. COYGIG
This is a way bigger achievement than anything the rugby girls have done, not too many countries have girls wanting to play rugby … Best of luck tomorrow night girls
Is that an opinion or a statement of fact ?
Where can we watch it?
On the box???? Streamed anywhere ???
Eurosport have been showing most of the games as far as i know.
Go girls go
Sometimes what an economy needs to kickstart itself is a good ole war…. Oh and I hope the girls win their football match too! Good luck
Go on ye girls in green!!!! The whole country is behind you, were so proud of all of you. Best of luck tomorrow.
Another bandwagon for people to jump on
I think you miss the whole point about sports,if it was only for the people who watched it from the start then there would be nobody watching any sport
What idiots “unlike” comments posted here ???? Some people just can’t wait to knock their own !!!!
Stop knocking their right to begrudge
Good for them but I’d wish they’d stop making it sound like war. Just a game.
Well done and best of luck !
Steven Pierce, you moron.
I think one of the eurosports are showing it
War is a very different thing to football.
The World Cup here in Brazil had a lot of pulling and hauling, slide tackles that really spoil the game and take the sport out of it.I would go for red cards to see good games and intelligent football.I think the GAA will also have to look again at their rules after seeing photos of the Dublin Meath game.
Slainte,
Micheal Feeney
Campo Grande-MS
Brasil.
Frogs. Definitely frogs.
Anyone know where we can watch it??!
Can’t other semi final is on Eurosport 2… We will be able watch the irish girls in final
Put the warpaint on folks, COYGIG!