Coutinho set to become Reds top earner

Liverpool are confident Philippe Coutinho will commit his long-term future to the club as he is close to agreeing a new deal that will put him in the top bracket of earners at Anfield.

Discussions over fresh terms, which will not include a release clause, have begun as the Reds look to tie down their standout star amid interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

The 24-year-old, who has been named Liverpool’s Player of the Season two years running, will have his importance to their ambitions reflected in the proposal.

Coutinho has elevated his game further under Jurgen Klopp and prior to picking up ankle ligament damage in November that kept him out of action for 46 days, was lighting up the Premier League.

He has contributed to 13 goals already in the campaign and will be crucial as the club look to combat a tough start to the year.

The Brazil international has often referenced his happiness on Merseyside as well as his belief in the direction the Reds are taking under the German.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp urged his team to start enjoying themselves again after a run of indifferent form.

The German’s men have fallen to fourth in the Premier League on the back of a three-game winless run, including a 3-2 defeat at home to Swansea City on Saturday.

Klopp feels Liverpool’s love of their possession-based, high-tempo style that saw them make such a strong start to the season has eased.

Liverpool’s defence has faced the most criticism during the campaign, with their 27 league goals conceded the most of the top four.

Klopp said his team as a whole needed to take responsibility for their defending, which cost them against Swansea.

Liverpool host Southampton in their EFL Cup semi-final second leg today, trailing the tie 1-0.