Lucas Leiva: 'Philippe Coutinho will only improve'

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva thinks that Philippe Coutinho will only improve the longer he stays at Anfield.

The Brazilian playmaker has established himself as a key member of the Reds squad since his £8m move from Inter Milan in January 2013, and his compatriot believes that Coutinho will only get better.

Lucas told the club's official website: "I think Coutinho can get anywhere he wants. His quality and his movement and his final pass. Philippe has been here for two years now and you can see he will only get better.

"[Coutinho is a] young player. When you have difficult moments during the season, normally the young players struggle a bit more. But they have the quality and I think they will be very important."

Brendan Rodgers's side are currently eighth in the Premier League table.