Football
ESPN staff 7y

Philippe Coutinho targeting Dec. 31 return against Manchester City

Philippe Coutinho is targeting the New Year's Eve match at home to Manchester City for his comeback from ankle ligament damage.

The Brazil international has been out since Nov. 26 and was expected to be out until January.

But asked by Liverpool's official website whether he could possibly make the game against Pep Guardiola's side, he said: "This is still my hope -- to return for this game.

"The rehab is going really well. I can now walk without crutches and I am working well with the medical team. So I'm pleased with how I am recovering."

Coutinho said he was initially worried that the injury was much worse than it turned out to be.

"Straight after the game, when I first saw the pictures and videos of my injury, I was a little scared," he said.

"But after the scans, of course it was bad, but not as bad as it could have been. I am happy, as it could have been a lot worse."

Since Coutinho's injury, Liverpool lost away to Bournemouth and were held at home by West Ham, but he backed his teammates to improve without him.

"Obviously I have been very frustrated, because like any player who is injured, it is tough to watch rather than play and help the team," he said.

"The last game was a draw and not the result we wanted, but the team still has great quality and I am certain in the next game we will come back stronger."

Information from Press Association Sport was used in this report.

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