Philippe Coutinho brushes off injury concerns and admits he is 'feeling very well'

Philippe Coutinho has handed Liverpool a major injury boost ahead of their game against Southampton on Sunday (7 May) after admitting that he is "feeling very well" on Thursday.

The Brazilian midfielder was replaced by Adam Lallana just 13 minutes into their game against Watford with Jurgen Klopp confirming that he suffered a dead leg following a heavy challenge.

Coutinho took to social media immediately after the game to reveal that it was not a serious injury, but has since confirmed that the first two days were a struggle. However, the 24-year-old is hoping that he will be fit and available for the visit of the Saints with Liverpool fighting to finish in the top four of the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League next season.

The Brazil international admits that it was frustrating to leave the game so early, but he was delighted that his teammates ensured the Reds picked up all three points to keep their hopes of finishing in the top four in their own hands.

Liverpool have three games left to play, and are currently in third place but their main challengers Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, who are fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, have games in hand over the Reds. But the Merseyside club can seal their return to the Champions League, if they win all their remaining games.

"The injury is much better. It was a hard tackle and what happened was a dead leg. It caused a lot of pain in the area I was hit, but the pain has reduced now," Coutinho told Liverpool's official site.

"At the moment, I am feeling very well – the first couple of days were the most painful. Of course, when you have to come out of such an important game like this one, and when you leave that early, it frustrates you, but thanks to God it was nothing major – just a strong tackle.

"It was nothing too serious and the main thing was we won the game and we left the match very pleased and happy because the result was very good for us. The main thing was for us to come home with the three points," the Brazilian midfielder added.

"These three points are very important for us – they kept us fighting for the top four and left our aim in our own hands. We have a target to keep ourselves up there and we have to fight for that because everything is in our hands."