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Liverpool insist they don’t fear losing Philippe Coutinho as Jurgen Klopp prepares to take over at Anfield.

Manchester City have become the latest club to be linked with a move for the talented Brazil international, who has also attracted interest from Barcelona.

However, the Reds are adamant that Coutinho won’t be sold and they see him as crucial to spearheading a bright new future under Klopp.

City lured Raheem Sterling away from Liverpool in a £49million deal back in the summer but the difference there was that the England international had entered the final two years of his contract.

In contrast Coutinho, who cost the Reds £8.5million from Inter Milan in 2013, only penned a new deal in February and is under contract until 2020.

The 23-year-old’s Brazil team-mate David Luiz recently suggested Coutinho could leave if Liverpool don’t qualify for the Champions League this season.

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

“Coutinho made the choice to stay at Liverpool without Champions League football this season,” he said.

“I don’t think he will make that choice again. If Liverpool don’t qualify this season for the Champions League, I am sure he will be the most in demand player in Europe next summer.

“Already Barcelona are interested, but we can expect more clubs than that. Any club would want him.”

However, the player’s agent Kia Joorabchian has reassured Liverpool that Coutinho sees his future at Anfield.

“Philippe is extremely happy at Liverpool,” he said.

“He signed a long-term contract towards the end of last season that represents his ambition and his feeling for Liverpool. Reports that I have been talking to clubs about Philippe are not true.

“His aspirations are to qualify for the Champions League with Liverpool this season and to win a trophy. That is all that he is focused on - nothing else.”

Coutinho was forced to drop out of the Brazil squad this week due to a groin injury suffered in last weekend’s derby with Everton. It is unclear yet whether he will be fit for Klopp’s first game in charge at Tottenham next Saturday.