Liverpool star included in Champions League squad despite asking for transfer

Brazilian Philippe Coutinho has been included in Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League squad as they await his much-anticipated return from international duty.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may have had to cope with the Brazilian stating his intent to play for La Liga side FC Barcelona, but Klopp has named him in his 25-man list for the UEFA Champions League, which begins on September 13 with a home match against Sevilla.

The Liverpool star, whose future has dominated the Merseyside club’s news agenda all summer, is set to feature for his national team against Columbia on Tuesday night, having netted for Brazil last week Thursday – his first game since August 1.

Brazil’s encounter with Columbia is in Barranquilla, and Premier League giants Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have pulled resources together to hire a private jet to fly their South American contingents back early enough ahead of the weekend’s English Premier League matches.

The South American, who was always a sure starter last season, but Jurgen Klopp will have to make a decision ahead of Reds trip to Manchester City.

In the25-year-old’s absence, the reds have gathered seven points from the available nine points.

It’s unlikely Jurgen Klopp will put the Brazilian straight back into his squad for the Manchester City trip, given Liverpool defeat Arsenal 4-0 in their last League game, but the manager will assess the attacker when he returns to Melwood Park.