Jürgen Klopp reported that Philippe Coutinho is 'improving a lot' as the Liverpool No.10 continues to target the New Year's Eve clash with Manchester City for a comeback.

The Brazilian has been out of action since suffering an ankle injury in the first half of the Anfield victory over Sunderland late last month.

Earlier this week, Coutinho told Liverpoolfc.com that he felt positive about achieving his aim of returning in time to feature against City on the final day of the year.

And Klopp’s fresh update on Friday concurred, though the manager refrained from stipulating a timeline of his own for the influential playmaker.

“It would be cool,” said Klopp of Coutinho’s possible availability for the City game. “I won’t stop him. In this moment he is improving a lot.

“He is off his crutches since the West Ham game – when we left the stadium he was walking in front without them.

“We will have to see. No idea at the moment. I never rush a player back. I’m the most patient person in Liverpool. I always wait for someone. I can’t rush it.”