Brendan Rodgers says Philippe Coutinho has all the tools to become a world class player for Liverpool in the coming years.
The Brazilian has found form in recent weeks following a slow start to the season, and provided two excellent assists for Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge during the 2-0 win over West Ham at the weekend.
And Rodgers took time out of his pre-Bolton press conference today to give some special praise to the 22-year-old.
‘Coutinho is coming into his own,’ Rodgers said. ‘At the beginning of the season, he didn’t have that rhythm but his performance is now at a real high level.
‘He is a little magician on the ball, if he can improve his goalscoring he will be getting into the bracket of being world class. There is no need to get Henderson and Lucas to score the goals.’
Rodgers was also eager to praise Daniel Sturridge after it took the 25-year-old just 12 minutes to score on his return from a five month injury lay off.
‘Daniel has been great. You just need to be careful with him. He is such a good player that he makes others around him better. He gives them confidence.
‘Daniel being back for the second half of the season gives us options. He is working hard in training. If he can score goals however long he is on for, he will help us.
‘To know him as well, the professionalism every single day of his life, he has devoted himself to being the best he can be. He is unique. It is a remarkable achievement.
‘Raheem has been brilliant since I put him up there. He had the qualities to play in that position. If he plays that role as a striker, he will get goals. Dan’s movement is probably a bit better at this moment.’
