'Coutinho genius made result of 12-13'
The 'genius' of Philippe Coutinho helped Liverpool record the best result of the Barclays Premier League 2012-13 season so far at Newcastle United on Saturday, according to John Aldridge.
The Brazilian was highly-instrumental in the Reds' 6-0 success, playing a key role in two of our goals at St James' Park.
Kop legend Aldridge was left suitably impressed.
He wrote in his Liverpool Echo column: "Liverpool's thrashing of Newcastle United has to be the result of the season across the Premier League. I certainly didn't see that coming. Liverpool were top class from start to finish.
"To go away to a tricky place like St James' Park and completely dominate like that was remarkable.
"Philippe Coutinho was a little genius on Saturday. He had previously shown glimpses of what he can do but against Chelsea the week before he had struggled. They got tight on him and he couldn't get into the game.
"But he bounced back at St James' with his best performance for the club and he was my man of the match. They failed to close him down and he made them pay."
Coutinho lined up in attack with two-goal Daniel Sturridge as well as Stewart Downing.
Aldridge believes the tactics deployed by Brendan Rodgers worked to perfection.
He added: "Brendan Rodgers got his tactics spot on with a formation designed to make up for the loss of Suarez.
"It worked a treat with Coutinho playing in that central role behind Daniel Sturridge. That has be the way forward for the rest of the season. Coutinho has got goals in him and he will create a lot for others as well."
Jordan Henderson also fired a brace at St James' to add to Daniel Agger's early opener, while there was a first Barclays Premier League goal for Fabio Borini.
The Italian, introduced as a second-half substitute, marked his return from injury by hitting the back of the net - and Aldridge is confident he can now go from strength-to-strength after an up-and-down maiden season at Anfield.
"I was delighted to see Fabio Borini come off the bench at Newcastle to open his Premier League account for the club," he said.
"It will be a real weight off his shoulders and that goal will do him the world of good.
"He's had a bad time with injuries but he's up and running now and Saturday should be great for his confidence.
"Borini worked his socks off when he came on and his movement before the goal was excellent."