Liverpool winger Philippe Coutinho out until end of October

Philippe Coutinho was hurt during Liverpool's match against Swansea on Monday.

Kieran McManus/Icon SMI

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -- English Premier League leader Liverpool will be without Philippe Coutinho until the end of October after the Brazilian playmaker was booked in for surgery on a shoulder injury.

The 21-year-old Coutinho was forced off with the problem in the second half of Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Swansea on Monday, which ended his team's perfect start to the season.

Liverpool says on Wednesday that "Coutinho will now have surgical stabilization on the AC joint in his shoulder,'' and is expected back in contention toward the end of next month.

The return of Luis Suarez from a 10-match ban for biting an opponent will soften the blow for Liverpool, with the Uruguay striker free to play after Saturday's home match against Southampton.

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