PHILIPPE COUTINHO ENJOYS BRAZIL TRAINING ALONGSIDE NEYMAR AND CO. AFTER DOCTOR CLAIMS INJURY 'CAUSED BY STRESS'

The attacking midfielder is yet to make an appearance for the Reds after handing in a transfer request

Former Barca star Neymar and potential future Catalan forward Coutinho enjoys his return to international duty 

Philippe Coutinho appears to be revelling in being back with his Brazil team-mates in images that could delight or infuriate Liverpool fans.

The star forward hasn't reported for duty with the Reds this campaign after suffering a back injury, which speculation raged about his likely move to Barcelona.

The Catalans have had three bids for Coutinho rejected by Liverpool with the latest approaching £120million.

The Anfield club insist he isn't for sale and Barca are growing impatient having now completed moves for Ousmane Dembele and Paulinho.

But laughing and smiling at training with former Barca ace Neymar, who the club lost in a £199m deal to Paris Saint-Germain, Coutinho appears ready for action.

Philippe Coutinho trains with Brazil on Monday in Porto Alegre 

Coutinho hasn't trained with his Liverpool teammates since complaining about a back injury after their friendly with Bayern Munich at the beginning of the month.

But the former Inter Milan ace is set to face Ecuador with his international team, as originally reported by the Liverpool Echo.

Coutinho linked up with the Brazil squad in Porto Alegre on Monday where he was assessed by their medical staff.

Brazil doctor Rodrigo Lasmar added: “From a medical point of view, Philippe is in the perfect condition to play.”

Coutinho is likely to start against Ecuador in the early hours of Friday morning. Tite’s side also take on Colombia in another World Cup qualifier on September 5.

Jurgen Klopp expected Coutinho to link up with Brazil but indicated that he wouldn’t be fit enough to feature.

“If he goes there and can train, I don’t think he can, but they will decide,” Klopp said.

“It’s in the hands of the specific FA. They make their own decisions.

“Are we always happy with things like that? No, not always in the past. Sometimes players come back after a small injury, go to their national team and play two games. But it’s the same procedure as always.”

Coutinho has joined a host of players in his national team who have completed big moves in the summer.

Neymar, of course, went to PSG in a record £199m deal.

He joined compatriots Thiago Silva and Dani Alves, who moved in the summer from Juventus.

Paulinho has also made a shock move from China to Barcelona, who are desperately trying to re-inject the talent lost in the Neymar move.

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN: CHELSEA SET TO SIGN ARSENAL MIDFIELDER

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the brink of joining Premier League champions Chelsea.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 24, will be out of contract next summer and has refused to sign a new deal at Emirates Stadium.

The England international has started every game for the Gunners so far this season, including Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Liverpool, when he was substituted.

Chelsea have declined to comment but it is understood they have agreed a transfer fee with their London rivals.

Liverpool have also shown an interest, but the former Southampton player is set to move to Stamford Bridge.

Oxlade-Chamberlain would be Chelsea's fifth major signing of the summer following the arrivals of striker Alvaro Morata, goalkeeper Willy Caballero, defender Antonio Rudiger and midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.

• Arsenal are in crisis and Wenger should leave - Wright

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had made it clear he wanted to add further to his squad before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has made 198 appearances for Arsenal since joining them from Southampton in August 2011, would be the first arrival since the Italian said he wanted to sign four more players.

The Blues have allowed a host of players - including defenders John Terry, Nathan Ake and Kurt Zouma, and midfielder Nemanja Matic - to leave this summer, while last season's top scorer Diego Costa has been told he can leave.

They have won two of their opening three Premier League matches.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have lost their past two games, including Sunday's defeat at Anfield.

Like Oxlade-Chamberlain, forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Mesut Ozil are also out of contract next summer.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live on Monday, Gunners legend Ian Wright said the club are in "crisis from top to bottom", and manager Wenger should leave.

WAYNE ROONEY: EVERTON CAN'T USE EUROPE CAMPAIGN AS AN EXCUSE FOR PREMIER LEAGUE BLUNDERS

WAYNE ROONEY insists Everton can’t use their European exploits as an excuse for slipping up in the Premier League.

Ronald Koeman’s side flopped at Chelsea on Sunday, putting in a limp display as they lost 2-0.

The match came just three days after a Europa League 1-1 draw in Croatia against Hajduk Split and six days on from a tough point earned at Manchester City

But Rooney, whose first taste of European action was almost 13 years ago for Manchester United at Sparta Prague in the Champions League, warned his new team-mates that they need to adapt.

“You have to accept that,” said Rooney of the fixture congestion that came with competing in Europe as well as domestically.

“You get in Europe, you have a lot of games and we’re probably the only country across Europe that doesn’t do any favours for our teams. But that’s been the same for a long time.

“The manager will have to use the squad, but we’ve got the players in the squad and I’m sure he’ll pick the right time to do it.”

At Stamford Bridge, Rooney failed to add to his league goals for his boyhood club, having scored against Stoke and Manchester City.

But the 31-year-old, who announced his England retirement last week, insists he is thriving back at Goodison with Everton.

“I feel good,” he added. “I tired towards the end today because of the heat and we were chasing the ball a lot which make it difficult.

“But in general I feel good and I can have a good rest now and be ready for the next game.”

“It’s an exciting time. It’s going to be a challenge for me to come back and try to help the team be successful.”