Updated: Philippe Coutinho Knock Doesn't Appear to be Severe

UPDATE: Coutinho spotted leaving Anfield on crutches with his right foot in a protective boot. He will reportedly undergo another scan on Sunday with injury updates to follow.

The Brazilian went down in visible pain under a challenge from Sunderland’s Didier N'Dong, needing to be stretchered off in the 32nd minute of Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Anfield. The two collided while simultaneously attempting to lash at a loose ball, with Coutinho coming out worse for wear as he immediately called for medical assistance.

Concrete news is still scarce, however initial word out of the locker room is suggesting that concerns of a possible severe injury to the ankle, knee or metatarsal are unfounded as of yet.

It appeared at first to be a fairly innocuous challenge on the surface, but replays show that the 24-year-old’s ankle and knee clearly wobbled upon his foot’s impact with the Gabonese defender’s boot.

Jürgen Klopp declined to give much in the way of detail prior to more conclusive observation, “We have to wait for the scan. When I saw him at half-time he said there was no pain.”

“Pain gets better, in the first moment it was very painful, but already when I saw him at half-time he said it was much better.

“As I said, we have to wait. I’m quite an optimistic guy, so I hope he can train tomorrow!”

The German manager was also forced into a cautionary withdrawal for Coutinho’s compatriot, Roberto Firmino following a rough challenge from Black Cat’s center back Lamine Kone.

While the hard-fought victory sees Klopp’s squad keep pace with Manchester City and Chelsea with Liverpool retaking the top spot on the table prior the evening London derby as Antonio Conte’s resurgent side takes on Tottenham, the Reds certainly took a few body blows from a pugilistic Sunderland.

With Daniel Sturridge a late scratch after picking up a knock in the run up to the match along with the influential Adam Lallana still a week or two away from recovering from a recurring groin issue, Liverpool will be hoping for positive news on the two Brazilians heading into the manic Christmas fixture period.