Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho believes he will play again THIS YEAR.

Coutinho was carried off on a stretcher during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday.

Initial reports suggested the Brazilian playmaker was set to be sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury - and could return against Manchester United in mid-January.

But the Daily Express says Coutinho has set his sights on returning for Liverpool's final game of the year at home to Manchester City.

The 24-year-old is confident he can come back quicker than the six-week recovery period given to players who suffer ankle ligament damage like he has done.