Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Liverpool to jet Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino back - source

Liverpool will again hire a private jet in order to bring Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino swiftly back from international duty, a source has told ESPN FC.

The Brazil internationals are set to feature in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Sao Paulo, which kicks off at 1:45 a.m. BST, leaving them only two full days to prepare for Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m.

If all goes to plan, Coutinho and Firmino will return to Liverpool on Wednesday before reporting for training on Thursday.

Liverpool have chartered planes a number of times this season in an effort to ensure their international stars report back to the club as soon as possible.

Sadio Mane was rushed back from the African Nations Cup shortly after Senegal were eliminated from the competition. 

And in November, sources told ESPN FC that Liverpool split the cost of a private jet with Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain so their Brazilian players would return to club duty swiftly. 

With five matches to play, Brazil hold a seven-point lead over second-placed Uruguay in the race for qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

Coutinho and Firmino both played almost the full 90 minutes in Brazil's victory over Uruguay in Montevideo on Thursday.

Coutinho has spoken of the importance of the Everton game, telling Liverpool's official website: "The rivalry is like any derby -- it's intense. I've experienced these games both home and away and the intensity is equal with the fans.

"You're always on TV, it's one of the most difficult games and I don't think this one will be any different. The week before the game, you can't wait to play and if you win, the level of joy you give to the fans is amazing.

"They're the victories you always enjoy."

Liverpool are currently fourth, four points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United but having played two extra games, and Coutinho said: "It's very important, obviously it's our aim [to finish in the top four].

"All the games are like finals and if we're going to achieve our aim we need a lot of points."

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