Philippe Coutinho Returning to Melwood This Week

With the major summer tournaments now over, eyes turn to pre-season. As of Friday Liverpool no longer had any players in the Euro (grumble grumble Mamadou Sakho was robbed), and the Copa ended last month, so we can finally take some stock in who is able to show up and get this pre-season started in earnest.

Philippe Coutinho is slated to return to Melwood on Monday, following his three week and then some vacation after Brazil failed to make it out of their group during the Copa America. Our tiny magician scored his first hat trick for his country in the 7-1 rout of Haiti, but it didn’t do much to ensure the progression of the team, unfortunately. All the better for us.

With all of Liverpool’s internationals gifted three weeks of vacation after their team’s exit from their respective tournaments, we can expect the return of the England internationals soon as well. Nathaniel Clyne, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner, and Daniel Sturridge are likely to make their returns to Melwood next week, although the specific date is still to be determined.

Liverpool will have to wait a bit longer for the return of the likes of Emre Can and (depending on what happens on the transfer front) Joe Allen, but the return of these first teamers should light a veritable fire under those who have been in training the past week to really impress and earn their positions going into pre-season and heading Stateside. Pressure’s on, lads.

Pre-season continues this week as the club travels to Fleetwood "I thought that was a rock band!" Town on Wednesday July 13th, Wigan Athletic on the 17th, and Huddersfield Town on the 20th before leaving for America. All the club’s pre-season games will be shown on LFCTV.