The attacking midfielder is in hot form and top of his game for both club and country. His performance has caught the attention of top clubs across Europe especially Barcelona who want the Brazilian at the Nou Camp. His spectacular goals in the 3-0 win over Argentina in the 2018 World Cup qualifying match was another proof of his scintillating performances.
He has been instrumental to Liverpool’s ride to the summit of the Premier League table for the 1st time since May 2014 and arguably the most in-form player in the league at the moment.
While his current form has brought joy and smiles to the face of the Liverpool fans, the growing rumour surrounding his future at Anfield has also brought fear to them.
It is no surprise that the attacker is Barcelona top target as claimed by the Catalan publication. With his form he can easily walk into any club in Europe and considering the fact that the 24-years-old is close friends with Lius Suarez and Neymar appears to fuel the speculation.
The Red Devils fans have not totally forgotten about what happened with Suarez in 2014 and fear for a repeat of such giving that Barcelona has a history of drawing South Americans to the club.
Liverpool need to ward off interest from the Spanish giant. While the midfielder has not shown any sign of leaving the club, it is of necessity that the Anfield outfit shield their prized asset by remaining competitive. Jurgen Klopp has revived the team, turning them into title contenders again. They now boast of a team that looks for a silverware.
In the same vein, there is need for Liverpool to up the wages of the midfielder. He is presently not part of the club’s top earners, a lapse Barcelona may want to capitalize on.
Coutinho cost them just £8.5 million from Inter Milan almost four years ago but he is now worth in excess of £45 million. Liverpool has no intention to sell him and he signed a new year deal last year February keeping him at the Merseyside till 2020 but should be given a contract that befits his growing status.
His current wage of £80,000 a week salary is way below the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and James Milner who are all earning in excess of £100, 000 a week.