Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers coy on Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino inclusion

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 19 July 2015

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is coy about Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino's prospects of starting the opening day of the new Premier League campaign.

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he hasn't yet made a decision on whether or not Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho will be included for Liverpool against Stoke City on the opening day.

Both Brazil players were involved in the Copa America and are pencilled in to return to training on Wednesday, but Rodgers said that he plans to speak to the pair as their fitness is assessed by the club.

The Reds boss told the club's official website: "I always speak to players. We know physically where they'll be at, we know they were involved in a competition, had some rest.

"But I always like to speak to players just to get the feel. You can have all your analysis and you can have all your statistics but sometimes the most important line is the communication. So we'll see how they feel.

"They're going to come back in good condition, refreshed, and if they start season and - like I've done before - if I feel a player needs a rest during the season I will do that."

Liverpool have won both their pre-season games so far against Thai All Stars and Brisbane Roar.