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Philippe Coutinho will be rewarded for becoming the brains behind Liverpool’s revival with a massive pay rise and new contract.

Boss Brendan Rodgers wants to ensure the Brazil star commits his long-term future to Anfield, to ward off interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs after his emergence over the past year.

And Rodgers reckons the 22-year-old midfielder is ready for a Samba call, after hailing him as the brain who puts the thought into Liverpool’s creative force.

“Coutinho is on the list of players we want to reward and hopefully over the course of the summer that is something we can do,” the Reds boss explained.

“He’s certainly a great player, and a fine asset to the club.

"He’s come in here and shown us quality – he’s really developed as a player and a person and is now moving into the best years of his life as a footballer.”

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