Michael Owen has claimed that Liverpool "are in a better place" after getting Philippe Coutinho to pen a new deal at Anfield.
The Brazilian penned a new long-term contract in January which ties him down until 2022, with Barcelona reportedly looking to make world-record offers in a bid to acquire his services this summer.
Owen, who scored 158 goals for the Reds, has hinted that having tied Coutinho down gives them the upper hand in negotiations, compared to the stand-off between Arsenal and Alexis Sanchez.
The former England international told The Mirror: "Liverpool did an amazing bit of business by signing Coutinho to a new contract, especially when you look at Sanchez and Arsenal and the problems it's causing around the club.
"Since Coutinho signed the new contract Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League, bought more quality players and are in a better place than they've been for a long time."
Coutinho, who scored 13 Premier League goals and produced seven assists last season, joined the Reds from Inter Milan in 2013.
Giuseppe Labellarte
