Philippe Coutinho Injury: Liverpool Star Stretchered off vs. Sunderland

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off the pitch during Saturday’s game against Sunderland at Anfield. 

Coutinho came off worse in a 50-50 challenge with Sunderland’s Didier Ndong and went down in clear agony before being taken off, via Squawka News:

Sunderland’s official Twitter feed revealed that the Brazilian had his leg in a brace as he departed the pitch, suggesting the injury could be severe:

Coutinho has played an integral part in the Reds’ stunning start to the 2016/17 campaign, and fans will be desperate to know the extent of the damage to their main man.

The 24-year-old has scored five goals and created five more in the Premier League so far this term, according to WhoScored.com, teaming up with fellow forwards Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to devastating effect.

He was pulling the strings well against Sunderland on Saturday before being forced off, and the warm ovation from all four corners of Anfield as he departed reflected fans’ admiration.

Empire of the Kop revealed how Coutinho’s foot bent in an irregular fashion when challenging with Ndong:

Now the anxious wait begins for Liverpool fans, who will hope for good news from the Anfield treatment room in the not-too-distant future.

Liverpool take on Leeds United in the League Cup quarter-final at Anfield on Tuesday before returning to Premier League action with two tricky-looking ties against Bournemouth and West Ham United.