Coutinho: Why today is a very happy day

The 22-year-old committed his future to the Reds by signing a fresh contract at Melwood and could barely contain his delight as he revealed how he's taken the club to his heart over the last two years.

As the ink was still drying on the contract, Coutinho sat down with Liverpoolfc.com at the club's training complex to explain why the welcome and support he's received from everyone at Anfield and the fans makes him feel right at home, and insisted supporters are yet to see the best of him...

LFCTV GO subscribers can watch the interview in full by clicking play on the embedded video below. Need a subscription? Sign up now. Alternatively, scroll down to read a full transcript.

Watch the video here »

Philippe, congratulations on signing a new long-term contract with Liverpool. How do you feel to have committed your future to the club?

I'm really happy. I've been made to feel very welcome here ever since I first arrived at Liverpool. It's a dream come true playing for this great club and being part of this squad. Today I've committed my future to the club and for this I'm feeling very pleased.

How eager were you to sign a new deal with Liverpool?

This club is great and the fans have always supported me, so I've been eager to sign this new deal since conversations on my future here started. Today is a very happy day.

You've been here for two years now. What does Liverpool mean to you?

It means so much. This club has given me the opportunity to play and believed in me, even though I hadn't been playing regularly at my previous club. I had a great reception since my first day here. As I always say, Liverpool is a big family and I'm a happy person here.

How do you feel you've changed over the last 24 months?

I've grown as a football player and evolved a few aspects of my game. I'm 22 now and I believe I've been maturing as a player at Liverpool.

When you look back at those photos of when you first arrived, with that curly hair, how does it make you feel?

I was very young - you can see on those photos that I looked like a kid. I haven't changed that much but I think this shorter hair actually makes me look a bit older! Anyway, I hope to keep growing and evolving every aspect of my game at Liverpool.

How important was Brendan Rodgers in your decision to sign this new deal?

Brendan has always been very helpful - he trusted me and gave me the opportunity to play. I didn't think twice when a new deal was proposed. This is an outstanding club with amazing supporters. I'm very grateful to everyone.

How much of an influence has Brendan been on your career so far?

He's great. He's constantly talking to me and the squad. I feel I have evolved very much under his management. Tactically, he's been very helpful to me - I've learnt things like how to play and mark the opponent without the ball.

Looking to the future, what do you hope to achieve over the course of this long-term deal?

I hope to play a part in success over the years. I want to become one of the greatest Liverpool players, hopefully by winning trophies.

The team are in great form at the moment - what can be achieved this season?

We have to take one step at a time. The team have been consistent and have been playing well again. We should aim at winning the games we have ahead and then see what happens at the end. It is our objective to be in the top four in the Premier League.

And your own form, is this the best you've played in your career?

It's hard for me to say - I'd rather leave it for the fans to assess my form. It's a very happy moment for me and I'm hoping to improve more and more.

How much more is there to come from Philippe Coutinho as a player? How much can you improve further?

There are several aspects I know I can improve further - one of them is to score more goals as I've been saying. I've been looking to develop in this aspect and have been working on this in training as it's one of the things I want to do better.

As mentioned, you've been here for two years now. How have you settled into life in the city of Liverpool?

I've settled in very well. Liverpool is a very calm city. Of course, my English is still not perfect but I feel I'm doing fine in my daily life. I live with my wife and we have a peaceful life here although we struggle sometimes in this cold weather! It's not a big deal, though.

How would you describe your relationship with the Liverpool fans?

It's spectacular. They're always behind me and they give me a lot of confidence during games. I also receive very positive messages from them on social media. I'm very grateful to them.

What's your message to those supporters today?

I'd like to thank them for way they've received me and I hope I can repay them back on the pitch.