Liverpool fans breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when star man Philippe Coutinho committed his future to the club.
The Brazilian spoke highly of the club’s supporters after agreeing his new deal, and has now made comments which will please the Anfield faithful even more.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, the Brazilian was asked about the prospect of leaving Merseyside for a chance to play at Camp Nou, or in the Chinese Super League.
Both seemed like realistic prospects over the last few months, though one may have been more realistic than the other, and the former Internazionale playmaker put people’s minds at ease.
✍🏻 It’s the news you’ve been waiting for…
🇧🇷 @Phil_Coutinho has signed a new deal with the club!
📰 Read more: https://t.co/SC3OdLiGre pic.twitter.com/QjxLG3zj03
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 25, 2017
“China, no. I am not interested. I don’t think about that, not for one moment,” Coutinho said.
“My football is here. My heart is here. I don’t think about any other club. Not at all.
As for Barcelona, it seems as though last season’s Liverpool player of the year believes there’s nothing he could achieve in Catalonia that isn’t attainable under Jürgen Klopp..
“I believe in finding somewhere you can express yourself, play without fear, play with everything you have.” he said.
“When you find that place, stay. This club, Liverpool, it has a plan. To be back on the top and that’s what I believe in. I want to be part of that.
“From the owner, the manager, my team-mates. There is nothing that stops us competing with the big clubs. Clubs in England. Clubs in Europe. Yes, clubs like Barcelona. Why not?”
Coutinho has been working his way back after returning from injury (photo credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Still just 24 years of age, Coutinho already has more than 100 Premier League appearances under his belt and a quarter-century of goals in the competition.
Next on the agenda is a trophy – he has runner-up finishes in the Premier League, League Cup and Europa League to his name, but no silverware in a Liverpool shirt just yet.
The Reds can keep their FA Cup campaign alive this weekend as they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of the competition.
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
