Liverpool News: Shock midfielder talks, club legend blasts duo, Chelsea ace sends message

Liverpool have opened talks with Philippe Coutinho over a new contract, according to reports.

The Telegraph says Liverpool have made a move to tie Coutinho down long-term despite having three years to run on his current contract.

Coutinho has developed into one of the Premier League’s best attacking players since arriving in 2013 from Inter Milan.

Liverpool fans react as Philippe Coutinho returns to starting line-up
Wed, January 18, 2017

Click through the gallery for the best reactions to Liverpool's line-up against Plymouth

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Click through the gallery for the best reactions to Liverpool's line-up against Plymouth

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has hit out at Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge for failing to deliver in the absence of Sadio Mane.

Mane is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal and Liverpool have struggled in his absence.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "With no Mane, it's an issue.

"Divock Origi's confidence is so low and he's playing so poorly, it's ridiculous.

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John Aldridge has been unimpressed with Divock Origi

"Can Daniel Sturridge play there? We just don't know. He popped up there against Swansea but he was coming too deep.

"In fairness to Jurgen, maybe he thought he had players to cope with his absence in Origi and Sturridge.

"They're both quick, direct and have proven themselves in this league, so it wasn't a stretch thinking they could.

"But for them two in particular right now, it's just not happening. You can't say they haven't had plenty of opportunities between them, but for whatever reason, it's not working out."

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Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho

Thibaut Courtois says Chelsea are eager to extend their Premier League lead over Liverpool and Arsenal in their upcoming games.

"We wanted to win more games after the Tottenham result, and before we play Liverpool and Arsenal," he told Chelsea's official website.

"Now we have a big gap, hopefully we can win against them and put ourselves further away."

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