Philippe Coutinho in contention for Liverpool return against Southampton

Liverpool are hopeful Philippe Coutinho will be available to face Southampton after the Brazil international returned to full training after going off injured against Watford. The 24-year-old suffered a dead leg in the 1-0 win at Vicarage Road and was replaced by Adam Lallana after just 13 minutes.

Coutinho told the club's official website on Thursday (4 May) that he was "feeling very well" despite the heavy challenge – an indication that he was ready to start at Anfield this weekend. The former Inter Milan playmaker has been on a superb run of recent form, scoring four goals in the club's last six games.

His fitness is likely to prove crucial to Liverpool's hopes of securing a Champions League place for next season. Victory in the Reds' final three Premier League games will secure a top four spot regardless of what their rivals do between now and the end of the season.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all have games in hand over Jurgen Klopp's men but the Merseysiders' fate remains in their own hands.

On Coutinho, Klopp confirmed: "It was his first time running. He looks a little bit like John Achterberg! We can't be 100% but it looks rather positive." The news regarding Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is less positive however, with the midfielder braced to miss an 11<sup>th league game in a row due to a foot problem. "Nothing new," the German coach admitted. "It is quite difficult, it is like this."

Henderson is joined by Ovie Ejara, Adam Bogdan, Danny Ings and Sadio Mane on the sidelines, with none of the quartet expected to feature before the end of the season. Mane and Ings are both nursing knee injuries but according to the Liverpool boss, both players are making good progress in their efforts to return to the fold next term.

"Mane is doing really well but no chance (for the rest of the season), he's around and went really well so far," he added. "Ingsy is doing well, he is training for the first time with the ball, and he is in a good way."