Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho was hooked off at the 45 minute mark during his side’s Europa League clash against Villarreal through illness, not injury, on Thursday night, according to reports from the Mirror.

Coutinho started the game for the Reds but only lasted until the half-time break, causing fears that the Brazilian picked up an injury with just a few games remaining in the season.

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However, it has been revealed that Coutinho was withdrawn due to sickness, meaning he is set to recover in time for the second leg at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were minutes away from securing a good 0-0 draw away from home, but a last minute strike from Villarreal ace Adrian Lopez earned a victory for the La Liga side.

But even in defeat, Klopp was optimistic that his team can turn the tie around at home and reach the final next month.

"Of course I'm not too happy with the goal we conceded in the last second,” he said on BT Sport (as quoted by the Mirror). “Counter attacking in the 92nd minute makes not much sense but it is only the first leg.

"It is 1-0 and they have to come to Anfield where we know how strong we are. We had our moments, we defended really good. This race is not over.

"If we had enough players in around the box it was no problem but they played this one chip ball over Kolo, I don't know where Alberto was in this moment but that was the only big mistake we made in this game and they scored with it.

"90 minutes played, 95, we will play at Anfield and that is a different game then."

Liverpool face Swansea City in their next Premier League fixture this weekend.

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