Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said that Philippe Coutinho has an outside chance of playing against Manchester City.

The Liverpool star has remained on the sidelines ever since suffering a serious ankle injury against Sunderland last month, and although he has not returned to full training, Klopp has not given up on the hopes of playing him in the crunch tie against City on New Year’s eve.

The Liverpool gaffer claimed that the team will not take a decision in a haste as there is still a long way to go before the season ends. The former Borussia Dortmund manager said that while it is tough for the Brazilian to play against City, it is not impossible.

Speaking ahead of the Boxing game clash against Stoke City, the German tactician said:“Unfortunately we don’t have him back in [full] training. He makes his own training and that is the big difference.We don’t have him in full training so there is no reason to think about when he is back.

“We cannot rush the situation. We don’t want to rush it. It was a serious injury and it is still so we need to wait. Whenever he is back the season is long enough that he can help us but we cannot rush it because there are a few games now.

“I don’t think it will be long-term but the game everyone is dreaming of is City: it was clear from the first second of the injury this would be extremely unlikely but it was the words of Phil so we will try to do it. At this moment it is not more likely than before but I don’t want to say it is not possible,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Reds would look to keep their title challenge on track when they welcome Mark Hughes’ side. Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently second in the table, six points adrift of top-ranked Chelsea.