Philippe Coutinho downplays speculation linking him with move away from Liverpool

Despite signing a new five-year contract at the club last January, reports continue to link the Brazilian with a move away from Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring Liverpool's second in their end-of-season win against Boro (Getty)

Philippe Coutinho has sought to alleviate concerns that he will be leaving Liverpool in the summer, insisting speculation over his future is "for journalists only" while reiterating that he has a "long contract" at the club.

Despite signing a new five-year contract at the club last January, reports continue to link the Brazilian with a move away from Liverpool.

The 24-year-old, who scored 13 league goals and provided seven assists for the Reds this season, intends to see out his contract which is currently set to expire in 2022.

“I have a long contract with Liverpool,” Coutinho told ESPN Brasil after Sunday's win against Middlesbrough. “Speculation is for journalists only.

“We started the season very well, I started well. But then in the middle the performance regressed.

“Then we bounced back, I finished the season at a high level.

“The whole team is playing well, today was a very important victory, next season it’s the Champions League.”

Prior to the game, manager Jurgen Klopp urged Coutinho to reject interest from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in order to establish a legacy at Anfield.

"Stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour," Klopp said.

"Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more."

Coutinho's free-kick doubled Liverpool's lead against Boro (Getty)

Liverpool have no desire to sell their star player who helped the side wrap up a top-four finish this season.

The Reds now return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.