Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho likely to miss Newcastle United trip

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted that Philippe Coutinho will not return from injury in Sunday's Premier League match at Newcastle United.

The Brazilian playmaker has missed the Reds' last three matches with a hamstring problem and was initially expected to return at St James' Park.

However, Klopp admitted at his pre-match press conference this afternoon that the club had been "too optimistic" about the 23-year-old's fitness.

"I like optimism, really, but with Phil we were too optimistic," Klopp told reporters. "Sometimes it happens like this and there is nothing to criticise - he has tried everything he can.

"He trained nearly normally but he doesn't feel comfortable and we have to take care of this because the muscle is a dangerous thing when you always feel it a bit.

"He is training and we will wait. I can wait every day, it is no problem if someone tells me 'Now he is available' and next time he will play with us, no problem."

Coutinho had scored four goals in four games before his recent absence, although Liverpool have coped without him and won all three games.