Liverpool boosted as Philippe Coutinho pledges future at Anfield

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has revealed that he will not leave Anfield irrespective of the Reds qualifying for the Champions League next season.

The news will come as a major boost for Brendan Rodgers whose year has been ravaged with contractual disputes with Raheem Sterling, Martin Skrtel and Jordan Henderson.

Sterling has refused to discuss his future till the end of the season and is willing to leave should the Reds refuse to increase their offer of £100,000 a week for the forward.

Henderson has also been standing off on signing a new contract and with the team counting on him to take over the captain's armband following the departure of Steven Gerrard, it has been extremely disconcerting for the manager to look into the negotiations and balance a flailing season following the departure of top scorer Luis Suarez in the summer.

Coutinho has been a breath of fresh air for the Reds, taking responsibility for the creative aspect of the team in his own hands from midfield.

The Brazilian also scored the winner for Liverpool against Blackburn in the FA Cup replay at Ewood Park and against Manchester City at Anfield, which brought them back in the race for a top four finish.

His form has got him a call up to the Brazil national team, where he played against Chile at the Emirates last month.

Rodgers will be hoping that the 23-year-old does not decide to move back on his word in the near future, especially with City believed to be interested in his services and capable of offering him a much better deal than what he currently has at Anfield.

"My mind is at Liverpool, I'm a Liverpool player and I don't think about those things because I am happy here and want to be here," Coutinho told the Liverpool Echo.

"The season has not finished yet regarding the Champions League. There are still a few games to go, many things can happen and we will try to finish the season on a high – and in the FA Cup as well - for me and the club," he added.