Philippe Coutinho commits future to Liverpool amid Barcelona transfer rumours

Liverpool have been handed a timely boost amid the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers after playmaker Philippe Coutinho committed his future to the Merseyside club, following speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona and Real Madrid. Despite the Reds only winning three Premier League games so far this season, the Brazilian international continues to be a stand-out performer, but the club's problems has seen his future heavily scrutinised.

Former captain Steven Gerrard wrote in his autobiography that Coutinho is destined to move to Barcelona or Real Madrid such is his talent, while fellow countryman Neymar said the 23-year-old would be welcomed with open arms at the Nou Camp. Another international colleague in the form of David Luiz has become the latest figure to advise the player to move on, should Liverpool again fail to qualify for the Champions League.

But speaking prior to the 1-1 derby draw against Everton and the news regarding Rodgers' subsequent sacking after over three years at Anfield, Coutinho says he has no plans to leave Liverpool. The ex-Inter Milan midfielder wants to achieve big things at the club, where he is yet to win a major trophy after missing out on the title.

"Winning a trophy is every footballer's top objective, the ultimate objective," he told the Daily Telegraph. "It is what will make you be recognised and be remembered as a great player. So that is what we are looking for. We are trying to achieve that, to reach that point, at Liverpool.

"Everyone knows about Liverpool. About its history. I knew I had joined a big club. I have always tried and always believed in myself so I went after it, to do my best, to achieve my dream and I always thought I'd achieve my dream. And I always, always wanted to be a football player.

"It was difficult, obviously – the fact that we didn't win the league. But if you consider at the start of that season nobody expected Liverpool to do as well as we did, and to finish second in the league. The objective initially was to finish in the top four.

"So if you look at it from that angle it was a good year. But, obviously, there was the frustration at not having won the title and then unfortunately last year we didn't start quite well, as well as expected, and we lost a few players. We lost Luis Suarez. So it was tricky for Liverpool but we are trying to do our best and are working for moments like that, to reach that point again.

"And I think it's possible. We are trying our best to get back, to qualify for the Champions League and whatever else there might be. We want to achieve great things here at Liverpool."