Philippe Coutinho Will Stay at Liverpool, According to Brazilian Teammate

After witnessing Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling leave Liverpool in consecutive summers, some fans are rightfully concerned that star midfielder Philippe Coutinho may follow suit and jump ship in the next warm weathered window. However, teammate and close friend Lucas Leiva believes Coutinho will stick around.

"I think we can hang on to him," Lucas said. "The one thing I know, he is very happy here. He was at Inter Milan and it didn't work for him but he has found his feet here and he feels that people like him. He considers that important."

Coutinho's development since arriving from Inter Milan in 2013 has been incredible, and with 5 goals and 3 assists to his name this season there is reason to think that a top tier European side will test Liverpool with a transfer offer in the near future. But Lucas' implication that Coutinho is cut from a different thread than the likes of Suarez and Sterling isn't far fetched -- even though he's become a star at Anfield, Coutinho has never shown his club any sort of disrespect and has always embraced supporters.

One hopes that Coutinho stays at Liverpool at least as long as Lucas, who despite his own tumultuous stretch sees a positive future for himself and the club he plays for.

"We have been through a lot of change here but I think the future is very bright, very positive," Lucas said.

The rest of Lucas' interview with the Mail can be found here.