The 30-year-old has been tipped to replace Victor Valdes at Camp Nou this summer, but insists he is happy to stay at Liverpool despite an indifferent season

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits he is flattered by reports linking him with a move to Barcelona but insists he is happy to remain at Anfield.

The 30-year-old is among a number of candidates tipped to replace Victor Valdes, who has told the Spanish champions he wants to leave this summer.

Reina, whose contract expires in 2016, maintains he is unaware if Barcelona have made an official approach but claims he is content with his current situation with the Reds.

“I have three more years with Liverpool. I’m satisfied, comfortable and my family are very happy,” Reina told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

“Rumours are difficult to control but it’s flattering when a club like Barca are interested in you.

“I don’t know if there has been contact between the clubs or with my agent. At the moment I don’t think there’s anything serious.”

Reina began his career in Barcelona’s youth system before leaving for Villarreal in 2002, but the goalkeeper is adamant he has no bad feelings towards the club.

“The years I was at Barcelona were very good, I don’t have any bad feelings about not succeeding there,” he added.

“I played more than 50 games, when I was less than 20, it helped me grow a lot.

“I would’ve liked to have played there more, of course, but there’s no need to over-dramatise things.”

The Brazilian has made a dazzling start to life in the Premier League since his arrival from Inter in January, and his manager believes there is even more to come

Brendan Rodgers admits he is surprised at how quickly Liverpool new-boy Philippe Coutinho has adapted to the Premier League, and predicts he will get even better next season.

The young Brazilian has scored three goals and wowed Reds fans and neutrals alike with some stunningly incisive passing since his £8.5 million arrival from Inter in January.

And Rodgers believes the prodigious 20-year-old possesses all the attributes to be a key part of his plans for years to come.

“When you bring somebody in during January you hope they can make an impact,” the Liverpool boss told reporters.

“You are also looking at it as a six-month adaptation period before you get the best out of them from pre-season onwards.

“We are all pleasantly pleased and surprised by how well he has done. His numbers tell you the story in terms of goals and assists.

“At the minute, you can’t ask any more. The key thing is that he works his socks off as well. He is a real team player.

“He has genuine man strength. He’s 20 years of age but he’s not a boy. He can look after himself. His body work is great, he is small in stature. The best players very rarely get tackled because they are so bright and clever.

“You can see he can use his body if needs be, but he has to become adapted to the physical game here as the Premier League is very physical.

“He’s been a real find for us in terms of the price we paid. Hopefully his value will be much greater than the cost in the coming years.”

After three previous hearings the case against the England starlet has been abandoned after the prosecutor’s witness failed to turn up at Liverpool magistrates’ court on Monday

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has had his assault charge dropped after a witness failed to show up at court.

The 18-year-old did not have to appear at Liverpool magistrates’ court after the prosecution was unable to offer any evidence at the hearing on Monday morning.

Sterling denied accusations of assaulting a woman in Toxteth in Liverpool last November and the court heard that the taxpayer will cover the footballer’s legal costs.

This was the fourth occasion the case has been before the court in Liverpool, and the winger has not attended any of them.

It is believed he waited in a car around the corner from the court as the 10am hearing got underway, along with his agent, Reds manager Brendan Rodgers and other club officials.

Prosecutor Rob Jones waited until 10:45 before he abandoned the case when his witness had still failed to attend court.

The court heard that it was not in the public interest to force alleged victims and witnesses to attend court for an allegation of minor common assault.

According to the Press Association, Liverpool FC have declined to make any comment on the case.