Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho got his first pre-season run out yesterday in an under-21s game, returning to action later than the rest of the squad thanks to his involvement in the Copa America.
Along with Emre Can, who was involved in the Under-21s European Championship, the Brazil midfielder played the opening 45 minutes against Porto’s B team, with the Reds finishing as 2-0 losers.
Coutinho, usually an attacking midfield, was used by coach Michael Beale as part of three man central midfield.