Liverpool hire private jet for Coutinho and Firmino

Liverpool have hired a private jet to ensure that Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino arrive back from South America in time for Saturday’s derby.

The pair are due to play for Brazil against Paraguay in Sao Paulo at 2am on Wednesday morning and will then jet back to face Everton on Saturday lunchtime.

Firmino did cause some panic in Liverpool when he missed a training session ahead of the game, but Brazil have confirmed that he was merely suffering from a sore throat; both will face Paraguay.

They are the only two Premier League players in Brazil’s line-up; Firmino also played in Brazil’s 4-1 victory over Uruguay.