Philippe Coutinho has scored five league goals
and made six assists in the Premier League this
season
Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho will not return
from an ankle injury in time to face Manchester
City on New Year's Eve, boss Jurgen Klopp has
confirmed.
The Brazil playmaker, 24, has missed six games
with an injury picked up in November's win over
Sunderland.
"The City game is too early and I'm pretty sure
the Sunderland match on Monday is too early
too," Klopp said.
The Reds manager also confirmed that defender
Joel Matip will miss the City game with an ankle
injury.
The title rivals meet at Anfield on Saturday (17:30
GMT), with second-placed Liverpool one point
above City in the Premier League.
Klopp said: "We love playing the best and they
are in the groove of one of the best teams in the
world.
"This is a very big game for both teams. Six clubs
fight for four or one positions. Each game is kind
of a final. If I wasn't sitting on the bench, I would
buy a ticket for the game 100%."
Klopp plays down Guardiola rivalry
Klopp was asked about the fact he has not been
to Etihad Stadium to watch City. "I can see better
from home rather than always standing up for
selfies in the ground," said the German.
He also praised City boss Pep Guardiola, his
former Bundesliga managerial rival.
"Our teams are completely different from when
Dortmund and Bayern played each other," he
continued.
"We know everything about how Pep played with
Bayern but that is not important any more
because it is different players and different
systems. He was very nearly perfect with
Barcelona. He had a big influence with Bayern
and changed their style completely.
"He is an outstanding manager, 100%."
Klopp denied newspaper reports suggesting
Liverpool could sign Arsenal midfielder Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23.
"Usually I don't say anything about transfers but
I will make an exception. Nonsense," he said.
