Philippe Coutinho could leave Liverpool if they do not qualify for Champions League, says David Luiz

Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz has put further pressure on Brendan Rodgers by claiming that Liverpool need to compete in the Champions League for them to have any hope of keeping Philippe Coutinho in the side. The former Swansea man has received a lot of flak for his failure to get his side into the top four last season and is under immense pressure to deliver after some massive investment this summer.

Coutinho has been among Rodgers' best players since the start of the season and failure to keep him at the club will be a massive blow to the northern Irishman's hopes of building a title winning squad. The Brazilian signed for the Reds in 2013 from Inter Milan and has been among the Premier League's best players under his guidance.

It is imperative that Liverpool manage to hold on to the 23-year-old in the next few seasons, failure to do see a massive drop in ambition like what happened following the transfer of Luis Suárez to Barcelona. The Uruguayan inspired the Reds to a top two finish, but his departure saw the Reds drop out of the group stages of the Champions League in the following season and finish sixth in the league.

However, should they fail to get back into the top four this season despite making seven new signings, Luiz believes that it will be a difficult proposition for Coutinho to consider given his ambitions to play in Europe.

"Coutinho made the choice to stay at Liverpool without Champions League football this season. I don't think he will make that choice again," Luiz said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"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."