Premier League giants Liverpool announced, via their official website, that attacker Philippe Coutinho had agreed a new long-term deal with the club. While there was no official confirmation about the longevity of the contract, English media outlet BBC stated that it will run out at the end of the 2021/22 season.
The report also stated that the Brazilian will now pocket a gross £150,000 per week – making him the club’s highest earner. Since moving to Liverpool in 2013, Coutinho has grown from strength to strength to become one of the Reds’ most effective players.
On hearing this news, a number of Liverpool fans heaved a huge sigh of relief. The player has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona, but has dashed all speculation linking him with a transfer away from Merseyside.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news:
Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool forward signs new five-year contract
Yay Yay Yay I’m thrilled to bits!
— LAMS (@gettingoninyrs) January 25, 2017
Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho signs a new five-year contract worth about £150,000 a week, making him the club’s highest-paid player.
— Test2 (@NonKore2) January 25, 2017
Philippe Coutinho has become a key player at Anfield since joining #LFC from #Inter in 2013 pic.twitter.com/TG1j7zmEWH
— Omnisport (@OmnisportNews) January 25, 2017
Philippe Coutinho has signed a new five-year deal with Liverpool..
Brilliant news for Liverpool fans! pic.twitter.com/XTiyIH95Ma
— Team FA (@TeamFA) January 25, 2017
@LFC @Phil_Coutinho pic.twitter.com/W4tojomLC0
— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) January 25, 2017
@LFC @Phil_Coutinho GET IN !!! YAYYYYY. Ya made my Wednesday ???
— Ruth ✌?? (@Apple_Head94) January 25, 2017
Liverpool fans when they see there's no release clause in @Phil_Coutinho's new @LFC contract… pic.twitter.com/ExfLx47DdH
— Sporting Index (@sportingindex) January 25, 2017
@LFC @Phil_Coutinho Could tell from the moment he stepped on the pitch the kid new what it meant to wear the red shirt!
— CalebLFC (@CalebLFC9) January 25, 2017
@LFC @Phil_Coutinho Congratulations on the new contract mate.
Haircut looking very good ??✂??
See you soon @BarbersNo1 boys
— BARBERSNO1 (@BarbersNo1) January 25, 2017
@LFC @Phil_Coutinho thanks for all the hard work so far Phil, hope we can get a @ChampionsLeague place this season! Good luck tonight!
— Craig Williams (@I_AmBruceWayne) January 25, 2017
@LFC @Phil_Coutinho Wow so Soo happy to hear that from the magician. We love you
— Alexander Appiah (@Alexander7871) January 25, 2017
However, some fans believed there was more the news that met the eye.
Feel for Philippe coutinho this morning….. Another 5 years without gas and electric ? #YSB
— BAKERMUFC (@BAKERMUFC1999) January 25, 2017
@LFC @Phil_Coutinho all this means it that you will get more money when he goes to Barca in the summer
— Ben (@SimpIyRashford) January 25, 2017
@LFC @MarkDBirchall @Phil_Coutinho didn’t Suarez do the same just before he left for Barca? ???????
— craigwalsh28 (@craigwalsh28) January 25, 2017