Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho will miss Friday’s FA Cup third-round derby with Everton with a thigh injury, boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
The Reds are braced for another Barcelona attempt to sign the Brazil player, 25, BBC Sport has learned.
He also missed the recent win over Burnley but Klopp said: “I have nothing to say about it. All the things I could say now will only create stories.”
Top scorer Mohamed Salah will also miss the match through injury.
Liverpool rejected three offers for Coutinho, and a transfer request from the Brazilian, before the start of this season.
Liverpool have refused to be drawn into any public debate over Coutinho’s future and Klopp maintained that stance at his pre-match news conference on Thursday.
“I opened the door halfway because I mentioned it was the transfer window but there is nothing I can say about it which would help me, the player or the club.
“Maybe 80% of the cameras are here for these answers – that’s a waste of time then.”
He added that he expected Coutinho to be “available for the Manchester City game on 14 January”.
The Reds’ home tie with Everton, which kicks off at 19:55 GMT, is live on BBC One and the BBC Sport website and app.
Klopp also confirmed £75m defender Virgil van Dijk could make his debut.
“Mo and Phil are not available. Virgil is obviously healthy, we’ll see what we do with him,” the manager said.
[BBC]
