Coutinho flattered by Barca interest but insists Liverpool is a dream come true

Posted Tuesday, February 23, 2016 by squawka.com

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has revealed that while he's flattered by Barcelona's interest in him, he's living the dream at Anfield.

Coutinho, 23, joined Liverpool from Inter Milan and since moving in 2013, he's become a key man at Anfield with his goals and creativity being invaluable for the Reds.

Coutinho told World Soccer Magazine (via the Liverpool Echo) when asked if he wanted to follow Neymar's advice and join Barcelona: "It's flattering. It's great to hear this from someone who is not just a friend but also one of the best players on the planet."

"Nobody knows what will happen in the future but, like I said, I'm happy at Liverpool and am really enjoying the moment.

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"I just like to live in the moment. I am not looking ahead. Being here at Liverpool is a dream come true. I am already playing in the best league in the world and I have a number of years left on my contract, which I only renewed last year.

"I'm very happy and my focus is on helping Liverpool fight for trophies."

The Brazilian's season was disrupted by a hamstring injury but he returned to Premier League action in Liverpool's 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, fashioning two assists as the Reds swept aside their forlorn-looking opponents.

As one of the Reds' brighter performers in a campaign wrought with inconsistency, Jurgen Klopp will have been delighted to see his chief midfield orchestrator back to full fitness. The 23-year-old will look to add to the five goals and five assists that he has already amassed this term as Liverpool aim for a Europa League spot.

In Coutinho's absence, the Reds have relied on another Brazilian's brilliance, that of Roberto Firmino, whose impressive development this season has seen him go from being on the fringes of the team to playing a key role. With five goals and three assists in his last six games, Firmino seems to have settled in on Merseyside.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's next game sees them face Augsburg in the Europa League on Thursday.