Philippe Coutinho proved his worth to Liverpool as they picked up all three points in a 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth, where the Brazilian midfielder picked up two assists before finding the net late on.
Coutinho was impressive all afternoon as the Reds dominated early on, and it was Emre Can who got the opener as he headed in from a dangerous Coutinho corner, with the Brazilian finding his team mate with a perfect delivery on the 30th minute.
Moments later the attacker grabbed another assist as he found Roberto Firmino in the box after a fantastic team move, the ball finding the back of the net following an inch-perfect cross from Coutinho.
Coutinho was the main thorn in the side of Brighton as the Reds ran riot at the Amex, linking up with fellow forwards Mohamed Salah and Firmino throughout the entire affair. Liverpool’s attackers were constantly threatening the home side, continuously searching for further goals to see out a successful afternoon.
Coutinho’s international team mate Firmino added a well-worked third as the game entered the second half, but the little magician once again stole the show just minutes from time as he lined up a free-kick at the edge of the box. With one brief glance toward goal, the skillful number ten showed his class with an ingenious set-piece that rolled under the wall and into the back of the net to make it 4-0 to the away side.
The midfielder then completed the rout with a superb run and attempt on goal, which deflected off Brighton defender Lewis Dunk and into the net, which later went down as an own goal for the defender. Boss Jurgen Klopp was thrilled at both his little magician and his side, especially his front men who were simply unstoppable all afternoon.
After yet further rotation from Klopp – who has now made a total of 54 changes to his starting line-up in the Premier League – Liverpool have now won three consecutive away league games. Coutinho will need to deliver equally excellent performances in some tough upcoming games for the Reds, who host Spartak Moscow on Wednesday evening in an attempt to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2008/09 competition. Coutinho and his side then face Everton in a highly anticipated Merseyside Derby on Sunday, before once again playing at home in the league to West Brom on Wednesday evening.
