Philippe Coutinho will not be in the Liverpool team for Saturday's Premier League match against Manchester City.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said the Brazil international - who was linked with a move to Barcelona following the departure of his compatriot Neymar to Paris St Germain - was in "a good mood" after returning to Merseyside following international duty.
However, the German said the playmaker would not feature in he lunch-time kick-off at the Etihad.
Klopp said: "We have got all the numbers (on Coutinho) from the Brazilian FA - the training, the intensity of the training, stuff like that, and it was all okay. And he played twice - I think about 15 or 20 minutes.
"He could have played 15, 20 minutes again in the City game, maybe longer, but I think really it makes sense (to leave him out).
"He agreed completely, so it was not as if he said 'no, I don't need training, I want to play'. It was a good conversation."
He has not yet played a match for the Reds this term because of a reported back injury but, having joined up with his national side for World Cup qualifiers, he made two substitute appearances against Ecuador and Colombia, scoring a trademark goal against the former.
Coutinho returned home via private jet on Wednesday with club-mate Roberto Firmino, Manchester City trio Ederson, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus and Chelsea's Willian after the three Premier League clubs once again pooled their resources to ensure their players were back in the country as soon as possible.
He trained with the rest of the squad on Thursday.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has also been ruled out of the game with a calf injury, his manager Pep Guardiola revealed today.
Kompany, who has been beset by fitness problems over the past few seasons, was injured while on duty with Belgium during the recent international break, but Guardiola said the centre back was not facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
"He has a little problem in his calf. I do not think he will be available tomorrow," Guardiola said. "The last seven, eight, nine games last season he played no problem.
"Pre-season, we took care of him and he played all three games. Now, unfortunately, we've lost him, but we will try and get him fit as soon as possible.
Guardiola was also upbeat about City's failure to sign a centre back during the recent transfer window, saying he had enough cover for the position in Eliaquim Mangala and 19-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo.
On a more positive note for the City manager, midfielder Ilkay Guendogan is available for selection after an extended layoff with a knee injury.
The Germany international was injured in December but has returned to training with the first team in recent weeks.
Guardiola also shed light on City's failed attempt to sign Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez, saying the deal fell through because he would not swap winger Raheem Sterling for the Chile international.
"Arsenal wanted to make a swap with Raheem. They talk to me and I said no chance. Zero chance," Guardiola said.
"Sometimes deals happen, sometimes not. I don't know what will happen in the winter time. (Sanchez) is an Arsenal player."
