Lucas Leiva has committed his short-term future to Liverpool but the longest serving player on the club's books has indicated he will leave Anfield in the summer.

The Brazilian has been linked with move to Internazionale but is willing to remain on Merseyside for the time being at least to do his bit to bolster the club’s three-pronged quest for honours.

“If, by the end of January, I am here, it will be great,” Lucas said. “This is the best place for me to be right now.

“But I cannot tell you in two months’ time, four months’ time or one year’s time. I have to think about my future. But it is all good. I am happy in this moment and I just have to go day-by-day.”

Lucas, who turned 30 earlier this month, underlined his worth as a squad player as his first goal in seven years settled the FA Cup third-round replay at Plymouth Argyle.

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp openly admitted afterwards that he hopes Lucas, who joined the club ten years ago, does not leave during the current transfer window and it would appear their warm working relationship has won over the player.

“I have always been very honest in terms of the trust with him,” Lucas added. “I had a few options to go.

“I have to think about my long-term. I know I don’t have many years left here. I have to start to think about it. Liverpool is a place I love; there is no doubt about that. But this is more about thinking about my future as well. Game-time, things like this. I have to deal with it.

“The manager and I have a fantastic relationship. I have learned a lot from him. He is someone I appreciate working with. I am learning all the time. It is not just in terms of football, I am learning from him as a man.”

Liverpool's potential January transfers Show all 10 1 /10 Liverpool's potential January transfers Liverpool's potential January transfers In: Javier Hernandez The former Manchester United striker is on Liverpool’s radar as they look to bring in a striker in January. With Sturridge injured again and Mane heading off to Gabon for the African Cup of Nations, Liverpool will be short of options. After an impressive debut season in the Bundesliga, Hernandez’s form has dipped somewhat, recording only seven goals in 23 matches. Liverpool's potential January transfers In: Gabriel Barbosa Inter signed ‘Gabigol’ from Santos in the summer for around £30 million. The promising Brazilian may be allowed to leave in January on loan after struggling to make his mark with the Nerazzurri. However, in Inter’s final match before the winter break against Lazio, Barbosa’s small cameo performance showed promise and coach Stefano Pioli may want to keep him at his disposal. Liverpool's potential January transfers In: Emil Forsberg RB Leipzig have really made a name for themselves this season. After getting promoted, they reside in second place in the league, a truly remarkable first half to the season. This is in no small part down to Forsberg’s displays. The 25-year-old has scored five goals and created nine in 15 games for the German outfit, and with Coutinho injured, he could be an interesting addition to the side. Liverpool's potential January transfers In: Aaron Cresswell The left-back position is something of a problem position for Liverpool this term with Alberto Moreno tumbling down the pecking order. James Milner has filled in, and performed admirably, but Jurgen Klopp may want to bring in a more natural left-back to claim the starting berth and Cresswell fits the bill. Liverpool's potential January transfers In: Quincy Promes The 24-year-old winger, currently at Spartak Moscow may move to Liverpool in a £20m deal this January, according to reports. Dutch international, Promes, is good friends with fellow native Georginio Wijnaldum, who wants him to join the club. With Mane on international duty for a month, Promes could also be a good loan option too, but Spartak are probably unwilling to let him go on loan. Liverpool's potential January transfers In: Raul Jimenez Reports are suggesting that Liverpool will bid for the Benfica hitman in January, but it is not likely that the Portuguese outfit will sell him. The Reds may have to shell out up to £50m to secure his services after the Mexican striker has netted five goals in ten games this season, whilst struggling with a knee injury. Liverpool's potential January transfers In: Jacob Murphy 21-year-old Norwich City academy product Murphy may be a Liverpool player by the end of the month. After a decent first half of the season, netting five goals and also grabbing five assists, Murphy could soon be in line for a big move. Liverpool's potential January transfers Out: Mamadou Sakho The French centre-back is completely out-of-favour with boss Klopp and it is likely that he may be sold in the January transfer window. Rumours have surfaced that Turkish giants Galatasaray have bid £850,000 for the former PSG captain, but other European clubs are chasing his signature. Liverpool's potential January transfers Out: Lucas Leiva The deal for Lucas Leiva to head to Inter on loan was thought to have been done, but the Milan club have put it on hold. This is because they look to have favoured a move for 22-year-old Atalanta midfielder Roberto Gagliardini. The deal could still be on though as Inter look to sell midfielders of their own such as Felipe Melo. Liverpool's potential January transfers Out: Alberto Moreno Moreno has struggled this season. After a shaky start against Arsenal, the Spanish international seems to have lost his place to Milner. Klopp may want to cash-in on the 24-year-old as he looks to strengthen that position, or he may well stick with him as back-up, with Milner impressing.

Lucas has played just 16 times this season but with Liverpool vying for honours in the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, he is clearly ready to put the club’s priorities before his own.

Indeed, he showed his commitment to the cause at Plymouth, where he was only allowed to captain Klopp’s team from central defence, after a fitness test due to a knee injury

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I was very in doubt about my fitness before the game. I did a session on Tuesday and I had a bit of swelling on my knee.

“But I spoke with manager and I told him: 'I want to play – I want to be involved.' I know how much the FA Cup means in this country and how important it is to this club.

I have always been very honest in terms of the trust with him [Klopp]. I had a few options to go. Lucas Leiva

“Of course I want to play in the Premier League every week but it’s important to play well when you get the chance. I led the team as captain with a lot of young players.”

Re-discovering his goal-scoring touch at Plymouth clearly put a spring in his step. “It was my first official goal in a while,” he told reporters. “I scored in pre-season, remember (at Fleetwood Town in a 5-0 win) and I’m the top scorer in ‘young versus old’ which is a game we have the day before matches.

“But, listen, all jokes apart, it was great to score. I don’t score many, so I am very happy and I’m very happy we got through. It was a difficult game.