Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho will miss Tuesday’s EFL Cup quarter-final at home to Leeds – with suspected ankle ligament damage.

Coutinho has contributed five goals and five assists in the league so far this season to help Liverpool climb to second in the table, one point behind leaders Chelsea, and the Reds fear the injury picked up in the 2-0 win over Sunderland could be long term. Jurgen Klopp’s men will be looking to reach the last four of the EFL Cup for a second straight season, as the German searches for his first trophy as Liverpool boss.

He reached the final of the EFL Cup and Europa League last term, but saw his side defeated in both games.

Leeds, who are in good form in the EFL Championship, have not reached the last four of a major competition since their Champions League semi-final appearance in 2000/01.

Garry Monk’s Leeds have won four of their last five Championship games, and sit in fifth.

Alongside Coutinho, fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino is unlikely to be risked after sustaining a minor calf problem in Saturday’s win over Sunderland, while striker Daniel Sturridge is not yet back training after a similar problem. Simon Mignolet will replace Loris Karius in goal.

Leeds boss Monk has made wholesale changes in previous EFL Cup ties this season, but gave little away as to whether he will be following suit or fielding his strongest side.

A home league game against Aston Villa follows on Saturday and Monk reported no new injuries following Saturday evening’s 2-1 win at Rotherham.

This will be Liverpool’s fourth meeting with Leeds in the League Cup, having won two and drawn one of the previous three.

Leeds have lost nine of their last 11 League Cup games against Premier League opposition (W2), including each of the four away games within this period.

The Reds have progressed from each of their last three League Cup quarter-finals, scoring 11 goals in the process (3.7 per game).

The Whites have featured in the League Cup quarter-final on seven occasions in their history (W5 L2), though just once post-2000 (in a 5-1 defeat v Chelsea in 2012/13).

24 of Liverpool’s last 28 games against Leeds have taken place in the Premier League, where the Reds’ 14 wins is the most inflicted on the Yorkshire side in competition history.

Jurgen Klopp has won six of his eight League Cup games in charge of Liverpool (D1 L1), and is looking to take his side into the semi-final for the second time in as many seasons.

Source: Sky Sports

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