Klopp plays down Coutinho loss

Jurgen Klopp is confident Liverpool can cope without Philippe Coutinho, who is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining an injury during the defeat of Sunderland.

Coutinho was injured during the first half of the Reds 2-0 win and had to leave Anfield in a protective boot, raising fears that he had suffered a serious injury.

He is expected to be out for up to six weeks which will prevent him from playing again until 2017, ruling him out of the busy Christmas and Nea Year period, but Klopp insists they will cope without the Brazil international.

"Phil Coutinho is a really good football player, so if we cannot use him for the next few days or weeks each team in the world would feel it," he said.

"But it is no excuse for anything. As good as he is he does not decide games by himself, although it sometimes looks like this.

"It is a team performance we create and he is a very important part of this team, absolutely.

"Of course we can handle it. If he is not in you have to show - and we will show."

Klopp has vowed to field a strong team for Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final against Leeds with Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge not available for the visit of Garry Monk's side.

"Phil's not in, Adam's close but not in, Daniel's close but not in - all quality players and we miss them, but you don't look for excuses," he added.

"We like to play football and I think the way we play it is possible without them, but it would be better when they are all fit.

"We need a line-up that can stand the intensity of the game. Leeds are in a good moment. We need to work hard in this game.

"We need to have a look at the players. We need to listen and figure if the players are ready or not. We can't take risks as we are not in this rhythm (of playing more than once a week).

"I really have no idea what the team is. We don't want to rest one who doesn't need a rest.

"The plan is to find a line-up that can win. It is possible we make changes but it is possible we name a strong team."

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