Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Philippe Coutinho is crucial to the Reds future plans. The diminutive Brazilian playmaker has been a revelation at Anfield following his January arrival from Inter Milan.
Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: "We brought Coutinho on and he made the field a little bit narrower whilst allowing us to maintain the two up front. And he was terrific when he came on.
"He's a wonderful player and we would've loved to have started him, but he's only come back into the fold and got the medical clearance in the last couple of days. But his introduction gave us the opportunity to control the game more with the ball.
"He's a wonderful player and a big talent for around £8million. He is remarkable - his feet, his talent and his ability on the ball."
