Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has heaped praise on manager Brendan Rogers for changing his side's game style during their 1-0 victory at Stoke City on Sunday.

The Reds have generally been about retaining possession under Rodgers, but went away from this strategy as Philippe Coutinho's stunning late winner helped erase memories of last season's final day 6-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

But Souness feels the presence of the powerful Belgian, who joined Liverpool from Aston Villa for £32.5million last month, has improved the way Rodgers' men change the way they perform.

"Now they have an alternative they should use it," Souness told Sky Sports.

"You must mix your game up. If you become too predictable and it's rolled out every time from the back, the opposition midfield will be on you and keep you in there. You end up making all your passes in your own half or on the halfway line.

"Everyone is obsessed with playing like Barcelona today. But not everyone has an Andres Iniesta or a Xavi. That's the correct way to go about your business if you have Benteke."