John Aldridge wants full commitment from Philippe Coutinho before he leaves Liverpool next year

Philippe Coutinho can leave Liverpool on good terms if he continues to deliver performances like he has in recent weeks until the end of the season, according to Reds legend John Aldridge.

The Reds midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona and had even submitted a transfer request in the summer to force a move to the Catalan club. Liverpool stood firm in the face of a number of bids and ensured that Coutinho remained at Anfield.

The La Liga outfit have not given up their chase and continue to be linked with a move during the January transfer window. Reports suggest that they will return with a bid of around £114.7m ($153.4m) to test Liverpool's resolve in the New Year.

Coutinho, meanwhile, has committed his immediate future to Liverpool despite all the speculation. And after a shaky start to the campaign owing to the uncertainty surrounding his future, he seems to be getting back to his best – the Brazil international has scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in 17 games in all competitions thus far.

Aldridge is certain that Coutinho will not remain at the club beyond this season, but is hoping he gives his 100% until the end of the season and helps Liverpool achieve their goal of finishing in the top four. Coutinho starred during the Merseyside club's recent 4-0 win over Bournemouth where he scored one and set up another.

"Philippe Coutinho was brilliant. But we're not soft, we've got to enjoy him while we can. That's the way football is," Aldridge wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo.

"No-one can knock his desire, his professionalism, and his enthusiasm. He's running around now more than he ever has before and that's great. Okay he won't be with us next season, that's 100%, we know that.

"For Sky to try to manipulate the player straight after the game two weeks on the trot after Jurgen Klopp the week before I thought that was out of order. You want to talk about the great goals, great players and great deliveries. I know they're after a reaction but that's poor," Aldridge said referring to the post-match reporter's questions which focused on Coutinho's future rather than the team's performance.

"What we got in the game though is all we want him to do. If he goes to the end of the season, scores another six, seven or eight goals and creates a few more, gets us into the Champions League, everyone will applaud him and he can leave on good terms, just like Luis Suarez," he explained.