Philippe Coutinho signs new long-term contract with Liverpool to end exit speculation

Philippe Coutinho has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new long-term contract with the Reds.

Philippe Coutinho has committed his future to Liverpool by putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract with the Reds to extend his stay at Anfield, the club has announced. The terms of the new deal come into effect from July 1, 2017.

Coutinho spoke of his delight after signing the new deal: “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.”

Philippe Coutinho has come a long way since joining Liverpool from Inter Milan as a prodigious 21-year-old who had loads of talent. In the four years since switching from San Siro to Anfield, Coutinho has blossomed into one of the best players in the Premier League scoring 34 goals in 163 appearances for the Reds.

2016 was by far the most productive year for Coutinho, as the Brazilian turned into Liverpool’s talisman to end the 2015/16 season on a high before establishing himself as a regular for the national team as well.

His undeniable influence for Liverpool can be judged by how Liverpool’s levels dropped in many crunch situations during the time Coutinho was absent from action. Coutinho is fit again now, though, and as he starts to regain his rhythm he will be crucial to Liverpool’s fortunes as the Reds fight for the Premier League as well as the EFL and FA Cup.

Needless to say, Coutinho’s stellar performances for Liverpool over the years have resulted in clubs registering an interest in him, with Barcelona and PSG notably being the two clubs that are keen to acquire his services.

However, Coutinho has now dashed any hopes that both Barcelona and PSG had of signing him any time soon by signing a new long-term contract with Liverpool. Suffice to say, this is one of the biggest deals clinched by Liverpool this season with Coutinho being such an influential player for the Merseyside club.

This comes in the wake of reports earlier this week that stated that Liverpool were ready to offer Coutinho a new contract and make the 24-year-old the highest paid player at the club, with the condition of there being no release clause in the deal as they want to avoid the mistakes made with Luis Suarez’s contract.

In the immediate future now, all eyes will be on Coutinho as Liverpool look to overturn a one-goal deficit from Southampton, as they host Claude Puel’s side in the second leg of the EFL Cup semifinal on Wednesday.