Liverpool Transfer News: Philippe Coutinho Reacts to Neymar's Barcelona Comments

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho has poured cold water on Neymar's comments that he hopes his compatriot joins him at Barcelona, pledging his immediate future to the Anfield giants. 

Steve Millar of the Daily Star quoted the attacking midfielder saying he is focused on doing well for manager Brendan Rodgers as he looks to contribute to a Reds revival in the coming months:

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I heard what Neymar said on the internet but I want to do well with Liverpool. I am happy here and I hope this season will go well for us. Of course it is a nice thing he said. Everyone knows he's my friend. But I'm here and focused on Liverpool to help them do good things on the pitch, starting with beating Everton on Sunday.

It is a big match because our start to the season has not been good. But we won the last league game against Aston Villa and it's important that we keep that winning feeling going.

We know we have to play better but it is still the beginning of a long season and we are calm. I don't listen much to the bad things. We are focused on the pitch to do well and do good things. I am totally focused on Liverpool.

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Liverpool fans will be delighted to hear one of their most important players is dedicated to the cause, with Rodgers under fire after an abject start to the current campaign. 

The Brazil international has featured six times for the Reds in the league, but his goal return has been poor, scoring just once, according to WhoScored.com.

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard praised Coutinho in his recent autobiography (h/t Jason Burt of the Telegraph), claiming the player had the potential to become one of the club's greats: “Liverpool should really treasure Philippe. I believed he was on his way to becoming Liverpool’s main man and a top player in world football. Watch this space.”

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However, David Luiz believes his international team-mate will not remain at Liverpool if the team once again fail to make the Champions League, as reported by David Wright of the Express:

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Coutinho made the choice to stay at Liverpool without Champions League football this season. I don’t think he will make that choice again. The best need to be playing with the best. Coutinho is the best midfield player in England right now. That is great for him, but when you play at that level the big clubs will notice you. If Liverpool don’t qualify this season for the Champions League, I am sure he will be the most in demand player in Europe next summer.

"

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On his day, the influence of Coutinho on Rodgers' team going forward is always evident, but his consistency is not always at the top level.

He is still developing as a talent, and could address this issue in the coming months, but with the manager choosing more defensive tactics this term, this has at times lessened Coutinho's impact. Rodgers has been more conservative this year, and Liverpool have looked less potent as a result.

If Barcelona come knocking for his signature, it will be incredibly difficult for the player to resist.

The chance to play alongside Neymar—and the natural tempo and speed of La Liga—will suit Coutinho's ambitions, and test his resolve to remain in a Liverpool shirt.