COUTINHO AND KLOPP
The Brazil international, who has blossomed into the key figure in Jurgen Klopp's team, has put pen to paper on a deal worth more than £200,000 per week that will keep him at the club until 2022.
Coutinho arrived at Anfield four years ago from Inter Milan and his performances have alerted top clubs across Europe to his ability but he is settled on Merseyside with his young family and has a strong relationship with Klopp.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO THIS SEASON
Appearances: 13 (2 as substitute)
Goals: 5
Assists: 5
Premier League games only
Barcelona were persistently linked with him at the beginning of the campaign, while Brazil legend Ronaldo stated his wish for Real Madrid to sign Coutinho but, notably, there is no release clause in this new contract.
Coutinho said: 'I am very happy to sign a new contract here. It is a club that I am very grateful to and this shows my happiness here. I will work much harder to repay the belief shown in me.
'I signed this new contract to stay here for a few more years because it's a great honour for me.
'It gives me great happiness because I was welcomed here with open arms by everyone at the club and the supporters right from my first day. I am very thankful to this football club for everything.
'It's not just me — since me and my family arrived here we have been welcomed with open arms by everyone.
'We feel at home in this city, we feel a part of this city. It is a very important day for me, my wife and my daughter. I am happy — and everyone is happy at home.'
Manager Klopp said of Coutinho: 'I think everyone knows what a great footballer Phil is, that is not in question — but not everyone sees what an incredibly positive character he is and what a big influence he is on the dressing room.
'I knew of Phil before I came to Liverpool and I was well aware of what a talent he was, but since arriving here I have not only witnessed his ability up close, but also his ever-continuing development.
'He is truly world-class — in that very top bracket.
'The fact he wants to stay here and be part of what we are looking to build and develop shows his personal commitment is to make himself better and be an integral part of something that is very special.
'We have total belief in our project, but when a player of Phil's calibre and status commits for this length of time it shows that our faith is shared throughout the game. He knows he can fulfil his dreams and ambitions here at Liverpool.
'This is a big statement.'
The new deal is a significant moment for Liverpool as they are aware of how coveted Coutinho is and they are not currently playing in the Champions League, the stage he wants to be on.
There has been a trend during the last decade of top performers such as Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and, most recently, Raheem Sterling all leaving to further their careers.
Coutinho was only too happy, however, to sign new terms and talks between his advisers and Liverpool went smoothly throughout.
It is a fillip on a day that Liverpool hope will end with them having secured a trip to Wembley. They face Southampton at Anfield in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
Liverpool are unlikely to bring any new faces in during the current transfer window but agreeing a deal with Coutinho is regarded as a hugely important step.
He will be the stand-out contract extension but new deals are also in the pipeline for Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, both of whom will have two years remaining on their current terms at the end of this campaign.
HIS CAREER SO FAR
1998-2008 - Vasco da Gama
2008-13 - Inter Milan
2009-10 - Vasco da Gama (loan)
2012 - Espanyol (loan)
2013-present - Liverpool
Coutinho has been the outstanding figure in Klopp's impressive outfit this season as one of the key contributors to their place in the Premier League's top four.
The 24-year-old has five goals and five assists in the league so far, despite missing over six weeks over Christmas and the new year with an ankle injury.
He has also scored once in the EFL Cup on Liverpool's route to the semi-finals.
Coutinho made his comeback in the first leg against Southampton earlier this month and is making progress towards full fitness following his injury.
After signing his new deal, Coutinho added: 'I am the kind of person that works very hard in trying to get better every day. I am always trying to learn, so this will be no different from what it was before my injury.
'When you come back, of course it is too difficult to be at the same level, but I have been working very hard each day in order to carry on producing good performances on the pitch to help the team achieve victories.'
Brazil manager Tite is another boss to have recognised Coutinho's stunning form, making him a central figure in his team as part of a revamped front three with Barcelona forward Neymar and Manchester City's new signing Gabriel Jesus.
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