Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned that Philippe Coutinho is only just starting out at Anfield, amid rumours of interest Barcelona, claiming that the Brazilian is 'getting better and better' and expressing hope he remains a Reds player for a long time yet.
A lot has been said and written about Coutinho and a move to Camp Nou in recent weeks, that Liverpool would demand at least €75m, or how the player's personal relationship with Neymar could influence any decision on his future.
But at least as far as Klopp is concerned talk of an exit isn't really an issue.
"My feeling and my opinion is that he fits really well here. We all hope and think that his future is here at Liverpool," he told reporters when facing the media on Thursday.
"Everybody forgets when they think about Phil that he is still very young. He's 24, so he's still young and has a long way to go, and a lot of space for improvement and for development.
"But, of course, he is now at the age where the skills, in a mixture with experience from the past, give you more consistency. With the teammates around, he's getting better and better. Hopefully, the way has only started and has not finished. I'm sure it has only started, so that's all good."
Coutinho and international colleague Roberto Firmino were among the players that arrived back in England from South Americaon Wednesday night, a full 24 hours ahead of schedule, as a result of thecollective hiring of a private jetbetween the Reds, Manchester City and PSG.
Klopp appeared quietly optimistic that the key Brazilianpair will have sufficiently recovered from the lengthy journey in time to face Southampton on Saturday, although he had admitted tonot seeing or speaking to either before meeting the press.
"We tried everything to make it as comfortable as possible to bring them back, but I haven't seen them or spoken to them because I hope they slept immediately and all that stuff. We will see," the German coach explained.
In formAdam Lallana remains a doubt to face his former club, after picking up a knock soon after he had scored England's opening goal against Spain on Tuesday night.
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