Stoke vs. Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp Reveals Philippe Coutinho Doubt in Presser

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Philippe Coutinho is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Stoke City having recently been ill, and he confirmed that Adam Lallana is not ready to return to action. 

The Reds need to bounce back after dropping points on Wednesday when they conceded a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

Klopp said Lallana is improving but not yet ready, while it will be a close call whether Coutinho plays, per Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo.

"Adam Lallana is much better, but he's not an option yet. We are going to need a few more days before we can have him back on the pitch," the German boss noted. "Phil wasn't at Melwood yesterday but in [conversations with doctors he] feels much better. We will have to see about Coutinho. We will give him all the time. He will be really close."

Per football writer Tony Barrett, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge are also still progressing in their recovery:

Meanwhile, in a major blow, Klopp confirmed Sadio Mane is likely to be out for the rest of the season after the Senegalese picked up a knee injury against Everton last weekend:

Liverpool thrashed Stoke City 4-1 when the two sides met at Anfield earlier in the season, and a similar result at the bet365 Stadium would give Klopp's side a huge boost. 

But, with all the Reds' injuries and their trend this season for struggling against smaller sides, it is far from guaranteed they will pick up three points.

A top-four place in the Premier League this season for Liverpool is also not yet assured, and they need to keep winning if they are to preserve their current third place, as City, Arsenal and Manchester United are within reach.

#	Team	Pl	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	30	23	3	4	62	24	38	72
2	Tottenham Hotspur	30	19	8	3	60	22	38	65
3	Liverpool	31	17	9	5	66	39	27	60
4	Manchester City	30	17	7	6	57	34	23	58
5	Arsenal	29	16	6	7	61	36	25	54
6	Manchester United	29	14	12	3	43	24	19	54

The Anfield outfit are on 60 points from 31 games, and Klopp outlined the mark he believes his side will have to pass to qualify for UEFA Champions League football next season, per the Echo's Joe Rimmer: "I don't think that 60-65 points will be enough to go to Champions League. We will have to collect a few more points." 

The absence of Mane is likely to make achieving that goal a lot harder, but Klopp will hope his side can get a vital win on Saturday against Stoke before potentially welcoming some other key players back for the run-in. 

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