Philippe Coutinho injury: Liverpool star out until February

Coutinho injured himself against Stoke on Tuesday

(2016 Getty Images)

Liverpool's injury situation shows no signs of improving after playmaker Philippe Coutinho was ruled out until February.

The Brazil international is the latest player to fall victim to a hamstring strain - Dejan Lovren also sustained a similar problem in Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final victory at Stoke - and his extended absence is a significant blow to an already threadbare squad.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is likely to face Exeter in the FA Cup on Friday with no senior centre-back with Kolo Toure's issues with cramp at the Britannia Stadium expected to keep him on the sidelines alongside Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel.

As a result Klopp is looking at reinforcements in the transfer window but none will arrive in time for the cup tie.

"Phil is more serious than Dejan, [who is more serious] than Kolo but none of these three will be available for tomorrow," he said.

"With muscle injuries you don't know. Kolo was cramp and that is not a problem but after three days it is not possible to play the next game but for next week it should not be a problem.

"With Dejan will be available after Man United (on January 17) and Phil needs one, maybe two or three weeks longer.)

PA