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There's no doubt what the biggest story surrounding Liverpool is going to be this month, is there?

Philippe Coutinho's future was a huge talking point in the summer, and two days into the January window it's very much back on the agenda.

It's a hard one to gauge from the outside, as we are not privy to the discussions that have gone on between the clubs, the player and his representatives.

What I will say, though, is that I see no reason for Liverpool to let him leave the club this month.

I think we all know he's going in the summer, 100 per cent. His head has been turned, he wants to play for Barcelona and Liverpool have to accept that.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

But they don't have to rip a big part of their team out mid-season.

Coutinho has been outstanding since coming back into the side, he's not shirked his responsibilities and if anything his form has been even better. He hasn't played like a player who is distracted or disillusioned.

He can't play in the Champions League for Barcelona, so there's nothing to be gained in that regard. Liverpool have got a good draw in the last 16, and a chance to go deep in the competition, so it makes sense to me that they keep him around until the end of the season.

I certainly hope that's what happens.

Van Dijk signing was like a blast from the past

Better news on the transfer front came with the signing of Virgil van Dijk – and before the window had even opened too!

For me it was like going back in time, a big player picking Liverpool over anyone else because he believes in the club and where it is headed.

That was the case when I played - players would either go to us or to Manchester United. The Monopoly money of Manchester City and Chelsea wasn't a factor.

Those clubs wanted Van Dijk, and he still picked Liverpool. That's a statement from the club, a show of intent and a sign of progress.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It's a lot of money, of course, but that's what you have to do in modern football. If you don't pay it, someone else will.

For me, this is a future captain of the club, and the gauntlet is down now to Matip and Lovren and Klavan; do you want to play alongside the big fella in the coming months and years?

Mind you, I must say I believe that young Joe Gomez might end up being the one who gets that honour. I know he switched off for a second at Burnley on Monday, but what a player he is turning into.

Van Dijk's future partner? Perhaps.

Ground out wins mean as much as the thrashings

I think at the start of the Christmas period, if you'd offered me 10 points from 12 I'd have taken it. I'd probably have taken eight, if I'm being brutally honest.

Liverpool are on a good run, and the last two wins have been particularly pleasing for me.

We know this team can batter sides when the attack clicks. We've seen it with Maribor and with Spartak and Brighton and Swansea.

But what we've needed is to be able to dig out the narrow wins, to get a result when the weather's rubbish and the pitch is heavy and the opposition dig in.

(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Against Leicester, who played well, and against Burnley, who played well, that happened. Two 2-1 wins might mean as much to the players as a six or seven-goal thrashing.

I know that winner at Burnley had me off my seat!

It's credit to the players and to the manager for building a much better squad. The depth is there now; we made seven changes at Turf Moor and still put out a strong side and a decent bench. Remember last January when we couldn't cope without Mane? Or the year before when we put out a mix-and-match team in the FA Cup?

Those days are gone. We're stronger now, and our form reflects that.

FA Cup run would be so welcome

Everton on Friday then, not a bad one to start the FA Cup campaign with!

It should be a great atmosphere at Anfield with 8000 Blues packed into the Anfield Road end. It'll be one to enjoy.

We know what Allardyce will do. He'll come and defend and try to pinch one, maybe look to get us back to Goodison for a replay. He did it in the league and I can't see him changing that plan, even if he does have a few more options this time.

I expect us to be strong, we have rotated players in the recent games so we should be able to call on the likes of Matip, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Firmino, Lallana. I'd start Van Dijk too for this one, what a great way to introduce him to Anfield!

The FA Cup was always special to me and still is. I'd love to see us go all the way and get that much-needed trophy in the cabinet.

Friday is as good a place to start that run as any...