'I've got high hopes for Coutinho'
Brendan Rodgers hailed the impact of Philippe Coutinho after watching the Brazilian net on his full Liverpool debut and turn in an impressive all-round display against Swansea.
The 20-year-old, who signed from Inter Milan at the end of January, struck moments after the re-start at Anfield to double the Reds' advantage courtesy of a fine solo effort.
After the game, Rodgers was quick to laud the attacker's speed and intelligence - and explained how he has high hopes for Liverpool's new No.10.
"Coutinho is a really talented player," Rodgers told reporters. "He's only 20 but he's had good experience of playing at the highest level.
"He'll take a wee bit of time to adapt to the whole tempo of the English game. He's come from Italy where the game is a little slower but he's a wonderful technician.
"You saw the quality and the speed of his passing all game - he's got wonderful game-knowledge. I've got high hopes for him. He's the type of player that we are trying to bring in here - a technician who has a strong character and good mentality. I'm sure he'll progress very well."
Steven Gerrard converted from the spot in front of the Kop to banish memories of his penalty miss against West Brom on Monday night.
Coutinho weighed in with a second after the interval before Jose Enrique, Luis Suarez and then Daniel Sturridge, also from 12 yards, completed the rout.
"It was an important three points," said Rodgers. "We've been down a bit of a rocky road this week in terms of the games on Monday and Thursday.
"But the Premier League is very important to us and we knew we had to go out with commitment today against a Swansea team that has been brilliant this season.
"It was an outstanding performance and we really showed our character and mental toughness today to get a performance like that. Going into the game it was about keeping a clean-sheet because in the last four games, we haven't been at our best defensively. So I was very pleased.
"We looked to dominate and create chances and we did. Like in any game of football, it's important that you start the second half well and in that little period, we scored three goals and that really gave us extra confidence."
Michael Laudrup made several alterations to his side for the trip to Anfield; however, former Swans boss Rodgers insisted the changes in personnel did not have too much of an effect on the game's outcome.
"I knew it was going to be a tough game," said Rodgers. "Swansea is a brilliant club and the philosophy there means you can change the team around.
"You can bring different players in and it doesn't really affect the rhythm or the tempo of their game.
"But if you don't have Ashley Williams or Michu, who has been brilliant since he came in, then that can affect your team.
"I said to my players, although the Swansea team has changed, they still have the likes Pablo Hernandez, who has got quality and they have a midfield out there, consisting of two of the three players who have played all season.
"It was still a strong side and I felt our focus in the game was really good and we were hungry for the three points. Our performance showed that.
"They have some outstanding players so I don't think you can take anything away from the Liverpool players."
The manager opted to withdraw Suarez with 12 minutes remaining at Anfield and the Uruguayan departed the pitch to a standing ovation from the Reds' faithful.
Afterwards, the manager explained his thinking behind the move.
"He's played almost every minute of every game this season, but even with 15 minutes to go, he wants to add to his goals tally," said Rodgers. "He's a player who has been brilliant for us. I wanted to give him a little round of applause and rest his legs for Thursday night.
"He'll be up there by himself [against Zenit] and he won't have Coutinho or Sturridge in and around him. But that's the nature of the man; he's a wonderful character and a great competitor.
"He wants to play every minute of every game and I would never want to take that away from him."