Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he is hopeful that Philippe Coutinho will be included in the squad for their EFL Cup semi-final against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday.

The Brazilian has been sidelined after sustaining an ankle injury during the Reds Premier League clash against Sunderland at Anfield in November.

Klopp has revealed that Coutinho could play a part of their match against Southampton after he resumed training last week and was part of their training session at Melwood on Monday.

‘I think Phil is fit enough for being part of the squad,’ Klopp told the Liverpool website.

‘That means it could be minutes, how much I don’t know. It depends on the game, of course. He is on a very good way.

‘It was six or seven weeks, something like this, so that’s long. And so he needs minutes in training, especially, but then of course as soon as possible minutes in games.

‘We will see how we do it, there [has been] no final decision made until now.’

The match at St Mary’s Stadium kicks off at 21:45.