Coutinho returns to Liverpool squad for Sion encounter

Philippe Coutinho: Brazilian star injured at Manchester City

Philippe Coutinho: Brazilian star injured at Manchester City

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has travelled with the squad for their final Europa League group game against Sion in Switzerland.

The Brazil international has missed the last four matches with a hamstring injury but trained with the rest of the squad at Melwood before the team departed.

Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen and Alberto Moreno also trained but have not made the trip, with Jordon Ibe not taking part or travelling because of illness while striker Daniel Sturridge has already been ruled out for a number of weeks with a hamstring strain sustained in Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle.

Moreno’s absence could mean a start for 21-year-old left-back Brad Smith, whose future at the club looked to be over after he rejected a new contract in the summer.

The club stood firm in their stance, holding on to his registration, and Smith and his representatives relented and agreed a new deal in November.

Manager Jurgen Klopp’s other alternative is to play right-back Nathaniel Clyne on the opposite flank and play Connor Randall on the right as he has done in the past.

As the team were preparing to fly out from Liverpool John Lennon Airport the club announced Randall – and third-choice goalkeeper Ryan Fulton – have signed new contracts which extend their stays until the summer of 2019.