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Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho will stay as he knows he is in the 'right place', says Jurgen Klopp

The Brazilian has improved year-on-year since arriving for just £8.5million as a 20-year-old from Internazionale in 2013

Sunday 14 May 2017 14:19 BST

Jurgen Klopp believes Philippe Coutinho has no desire to up sticks and leave Anfield this summer (Getty)

Jürgen Klopp is confident that Philippe Coutinho will stay with Liverpool beyond the summer as the Brazilian playmaker knows the club made him the player that he is today.

Since arriving as a 20-year-old for just £8.5million in 2013, Coutinho has improved year-on-year and blossomed into one of Europe’s most coveted creative players.

Barcelona are believed to be interested in acquiring the Brazil international and, despite the player committing himself to a new five-year Liverpool contract in January, reports suggesting he could leave Anfield this summer persist.

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

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1/12Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Daniel Sturridge

An electric frontman just three years ago, Sturridge has now lost a bit of that spark due to persistent injury problems. However, according to Jamie Carragher, Sturridge has become irked at speculation linking him with a move away, suggesting he may yet stick around to prove himself. Survival rating: 6/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Alberto Moreno

Moreno is surely in line to depart this summer, having been frozen out of the starting line-up since the opening day win at Arsenal and kept out by a makeshift left-back. Although he offers an obvious attacking threat, his lack of composure has cost Liverpool too many times in his short Anfield career. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Simon Mignolet

He may have won his battle with Loris Karius for the starting spot between the sticks, but both may have lost the war. Neither have convinced when given an opportunity and Mignolet is merely the man in possession. There will be concern if that’s still the case come next season’s opening weekend. Survival rating: 8/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Emre Can

A player with undoubted potential, but one who has consistently under-performed. His contractual situation is a worry, too. Can’s current deal expires in the summer of 2018 and, with negotiations progressing slowly, Liverpool could be tempted to cash in. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lucas Leiva

A club stalwart, a fan favourite, but a player undoubtedly coming to the end of his time at Anfield. His contract expires this summer and a renewal would be one borne out of sentiment rather than sense. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Loris Karius

Like Mignolet, Karius' future will depend on whether Klopp decides to enter the market for a goalkeeper for the second consecutive summer. If he does, last year's signing from Mainz will have a long road back to the first team. He is young, though, and his status as a relatively new signing could work in his favour. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Ragnar Klavan

Brought in as a fourth-choice centre-back last summer, Klavan shot up the pecking order following Mamadou Sakho’s disciplinary issues. Joel Matip’s injury problems saw Klavan promoted further still and, though he has put in a handful of solid displays, others have been below-par. If a new centre-back arrives and Joe Gomez’s development continues apace, Klavan will be back on the fringes. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Mamadou Sakho

Sakho is currently out on loan at Crystal Palace and his Anfield career looks all but over after the disciplinary problems which have dogged him. Klopp looks to have made his mind up on the defender, who would be a regular starter if he had his manager's trust. Survival rating: 1/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Jon Flanagan

Local-born Flanagan is a fan favourite who only signed a new contract last season, but as an old-fashioned full-back, he is perhaps not dynamic enough for Klopp's system. A lack of minutes at loan club Burnley will not have helped his cause. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Andre Wisdom

Wisdom broke into Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side during the Northern Irishman's first season at the club, but his progress has stagnated. The 23-year-old may now look to build a career away from English football, having spent this season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lazar Markovic

Markovic seems destined to become an expensive Liverpool flop, having flattered to deceive since his £20million move from Benfica in 2014. He could yet enjoy success elsewhere however, and has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent while on loan at Hull. Survival rating: 3/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Danny Ings

Liverpool's forgotten man has been unlucky with injuries since joining from Burnley. Ings has made just 11 starts in two years following two serious knee injuries. With any luck, Klopp will show sympathy to his beleaguered striker. Survival rating: 6/10

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Klopp, however, believes that Coutinho’s development since joining from Internazionale has been so substantial that the player is convinced he is in “the right place” and has no desire to leave.

“He became this player at Liverpool,” Klopp said ahead of his side's trip to West Ham United this weekend. “He knows about this. That is what is really special about him. He really likes being here, it’s not like someone has to force him. His family really likes it too.

“Philippe, we all know how strong he can be. Can we work on different things? Yes of course,” he added.

“That would make us stronger for sure, having this creativity in the middle of the park. He would have to adapt to that. He is young, full of talent and I’m pretty sure he thinks he is in the right place.”

Earlier this week, one Spanish newspaper claimed Coutinho had already held talks with Barcelona over a £76m transfer, but Klopp is paying little attention to such reports.

“Before he signed the new contract there were rumours, after he signed the contract there were rumours. What can you do to stop the rumours? I have no idea. That is the situation.

Liverpool will travel to the London Stadium on Sunday knowing they cannot afford to drop points if they wish to retain the initiative in the race for a top-four finish.

Klopp’s men could qualify for next season’s Champions League if they take all three points against Slaven Bilic’s side, provided that Arsenal suffer defeat a day earlier at Stoke City and Manchester United fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s later kick-off.

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