LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool suffered a major blow when Brazil forward Philippe Coutinho was stretchered off during the first half of Saturday's Premier League clash with Sunderland.

Coutinho appeared to sustain a serious ankle injury after being tackled by Sunderland's Didier Ndong while trying to make space for a shot.

The 24-year-old immediately dropped to the turf wincing in pain and was taken off with a protective brace around the damaged area as Divock Origi came on to replace him.

"Philippe Coutinho's injury is an ankle injury but we can't say anymore until we see a scan," Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said after his team's 2-0 victory.

If Coutinho is absent for a lengthy period it would be a big setback as Liverpool look to win the English title for the first time since 1990.

Coutinho had been in superb form for Klopp's side this season, scoring six times in 13 appearances in all competitions.