Liverpool sweat on Philippe Coutinho injury in win over Sunderland

LIVERPOOL’S hard-fought 2-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland on Saturday came at a potentially heavy cost after a star player sustained an ankle injury.

Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool is taken off by a stretcher.

LIVERPOOL’S hard-fought 2-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland on Saturday came at a potentially heavy cost after Brazilian Philippe Coutinho sustained an ankle injury.

The in-form playmaker fell to the turf in significant discomfort after Sunderland midfielder Didier Ibrahim Ndong caught him as he cleared the ball in the 34th minute.

Coutinho was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Divock Origi, who scored the opening goal in the 75th minute before James Milner’s stoppage-time penalty sealed the win and moved Liverpool top of the table.

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Dider Ndong of Sunderland and Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool compete for the ball.

“It is an ankle injury but we can’t say any more until we see a scan,” Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp told reporters.

“Pain gets better, in the first moment it was very painful, but already when I saw him at halftime he said it was much better. We have to wait “I’m quite an optimistic guy, so I hope he can train tomorrow.” Coutinho has been one of the key players in Liverpool’s rise up the table having scored five goals and contributed five assists this season.

Referee Anthony Taylor talks to Coutinho.

Originally published as Liverpool sweat on Philippe Coutinho injury in win over Sunderland