Jurgen Klopp told to start 25-year-old for Liverpool at Man City

Paul Dickov believes that Jurgen Klopp should start Philippe Coutinho against Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Brazilian playmaker has returned to Melwood from international duty after the relentless speculation about his future towards the end of the summer transfer window.

Coutinho was heavily linked with a transfer to Barcelona towards the end of the summer window and the playmaker even handed in a transfer request in a bid to force through the move.

But Liverpool opted to keep hold of their prized asset rather than let him move to the Camp Nou.

Coutinho is yet to feature for Liverpool this season after having struggled with a back injury in the opening few weeks of the campaign.

Klopp now has to decide whether to throw Coutinho straight into the Liverpool team for their crunch clash against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

And Dickov feels that Coutinho should start the game, saying that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be picked if the Brazilian is not ready.

Dickov told Betsafe: “Coutinho has been playing for Brazil, does Klopp bring him straight back in?

“Against City, Coutinho has been fantastic.

“If not, Chamberlain should start in the middle, that’s where he wants to play and that’s why he didn’t go to Chelsea.”

Read the full betsafe.com interview with Paul Dickov and Dominic Matteo, including their thoughts on the two most important signings at City.