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ESPN staff 7y

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho fit to play in Brazil's World Cup qualifiers - CBF

Philippe Coutinho is fit for Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, despite the midfielder not having played for Liverpool this season because of a stated back injury, a federation spokesman told ESPN Brasil.

Coutinho, 25, is attempting to force through a move to Barcelona and has been the club's main transfer target this summer, with the Reds turning down three bids for him thus far, with the latest being worth a total of £118 million.

Though he has not appeared in any of Liverpool's four games on the young campaign, he was called into Tite's Brazil squad for the team's matches against Ecuador and Colombia on Aug. 31 and Sept. 5, respectively.

And a CBF spokesman on Monday said the former Inter Milan man was without any injuries and will begin training with his teammates on Tuesday.

Before joining the national team in Porto Alegre, Coutinho paid a quick visit on Sunday to Rio de Janeiro-based doctor Michael Simoni, who has known the former Vasco da Gama star for years.

With the transfer window closing on Thursday, Aug. 31, there was speculation the midfielder had undergone a physical with Simoni ahead of a move. However, Simoni denied there had been any examination when asked by ESPN Brasil on Monday.

"When he had surgery on his shoulder and stayed alone in Europe -- he was very young -- who helped was me. This was shortly after he moved to Europe. He called me [Sunday]. I didn't examine him, nothing medical," Simoni, who serves as Fluminense's health director, explained.

"I called Rodrigo Lasmar [the national team doctor] and explained everything. He can show up to train normally. I didn't do a clinical exam, he came to chat, he came to talk to a friend."

Despite Liverpool refusing all three of Barcelona's offers, reports suggest Coutinho's departure from Anfield is likely, whether it takes place this summer or next. 

"He's a bit anxious about the possibility of changing club," said Simoni. "Of course we talked about this possible transfer, about the things that are in his heart right now.

"His back pains, in my opinion, are explained by this anxiety. Muscular tension normally does that."

Teammate Renato Augusto commented on Coutinho's situation after Brazil training on Monday, saying he was pleased to have the Liverpool man with the team.

"I didn't have the opportunity to talk to him yet. But I believe that he'll be all right and ready to play," the former Corinthians and Bayer Leverkusen man said.

"He's one of the best players in the world and, regardless of the transfer, it's important to have him with us. The main thing for him is to be happy."

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