Report: Liverpool uninterested in signing Mahrez

Liverpool has no desire to recruit Riyad Mahrez as Philippe Coutinho's direct replacement, sources told Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett.

Following news of Coutinho's departure to Barcelona, Qatari outlet beIN Sports posited that Liverpool had reached a deal to sign Mahrez for around £50 million.

But Dorsett said there's been no contact between the Anfield side and Leicester City, which apparently values Mahrez at a significantly higher figure than that which was reported.

Foxes manager Claude Puel also suggested that the Algerian playmaker will stay put in January.

"I think it is important he keeps this focus and concentration until the end of the season," the Frenchman told reporters, according to ESPN. "I am happy with him and I think he is enjoying his football. He is happy to play with this team. We are trying to develop good play on the floor and he likes this."

Rumours of a move away from the King Power Stadium re-emerged in recent months, with Mahrez recapturing some of the form that saw him win the 2015-16 PFA Player of the Year award. The 26-year-old contributed to five goals in the past four matches, including a Man of the Match performance against Huddersfield Town on New Year's Day.