Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Philippe Coutinho and James Milner

As the new season begins to get up and running in earnest, various players dotted about the Premier League will begin to ascertain clearer indications about the roles they will play at their clubs for the upcoming campaign.

Some will feel as though their stock has risen and, subsequently, some monetary rewards and long-term security might be in order in the form of a new deal.

Others will find themselves on the fringes of a bolstered squad and may begin to harbour concerns about their future with their current employers.

For Liverpool, one of their key men has spoken about potentially extending his contract at Anfield. On the flip side, could the Reds be about to capitalise on a player that is hesitating when committing his future to his current club?

Here’s the very latest on both players.

Philippe Coutinho Wants Reds Extension

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The Brazilian playmaker has claimed the prospect of European nights at Anfield has made him want to extend his stay with the Merseyside outfit.

Liverpool are back in the Champions League following a five-year hiatus from Europe’s top-tier competition, and Coutinho looks set to be a key man as the club go in search of a sixth European Cup win.

However, the 22-year-old has stated that while football at the highest level is vital, it’s not the most important thing for him, per the Sun (h/t Joe Short of the Express):

"

I’d be happy to analyse a new contract.

It is very important for me to play in the Champions League but staying does not rely only on that.

It relies on other things, like being happy.

I have heard a lot about the European nights at this club.

I can only imagine the atmosphere will be fabulous, because it seems to me that the atmosphere at Anfield is always fabulous, even for ordinary games in the afternoon.

"

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Coutinho struck up a sensational partnership with Daniel Sturridge after he was signed from Inter Milan in January 2013, and although he scored some crucial goals last season—most notably the winner in a 3-2 victory over Manchester City—he’s never quite recaptured the superb form he displayed during the infancy of his Anfield career.

Indeed, Bleacher Report’s Vince Siu is concerned with the player’s recent form:

But it’s easy to forget how young Coutinho is. At 22 years of age, he still has plenty of maturing to do.

If he continues to apply himself under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers, he could certainly blossom into one of the Premier League’s finest creative midfield men.

James Milner Stalls on New Manchester City Deal

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The England international has found himself on the fringes of the Citizens’ first team during the early stages of the 2014/15 campaign. As a result, he reportedly remains unsure about committing his future to the champions.

Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star claims that the midfielder will wait to see just how many games he plays before making a decision on his future.

Everton, Arsenal and Liverpool are all keen on getting Milner on board.

Milner is a player whose versatility seems to have held him back a little during his career. Capable of playing across the midfield and doing a job at either full-back position, the former Aston Villa man has been used to plug gaps in this City team. As such, he’s been unable to nail down a place in the side on a regular basis.

But he’s an understatedly effective and often underrated player, as WhoScored.com notes here:

At 28 years old, Milner doesn't have many years at the top left. If the minutes don't materialise, he has a difficult decision to make. If he was to walk out on City, then his options at Liverpool would probably be more readily available, but there’d still be no guarantee of a starting spot at Anfield.

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As Rodgers looks to build a team that is adaptable and fluid, however, Milner’s versatility and experience could bring plenty to the Reds’ setup.

And without the likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas to compete with at Liverpool, perhaps Milner would quite fancy a change of scenery if the Reds were to come calling.