'Magic Coutinho can make difference'
Kolo Toure expects the returning Philippe Coutinho to make a significant difference for Liverpool in the coming weeks after making a comeback from injury at Arsenal on Saturday.
The Brazilian had spent almost seven weeks away from first-team action following a shoulder problem, suffered at Swansea City in September, which required surgery.
With the Reds trailing 1-0 to the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, Brendan Rodgers reintroduced the creative No.10 for the second 45 minutes.
Ultimately, the visitors were beaten 2-0 by the Barclays Premier League leaders, but Coutinho's cameo at the weekend has provided Toure with plenty of optimism.
The 32-year-old told the Liverpool Echo: "I call Coutinho 'my player'. I think he's amazing and can make the difference in matches.
"This season he's been out injured but now he's back he's going to be amazing for us.
"I really like him. He's my best player. In training he's one of the hardest to mark. He's still young but he's got that magic."
Had the Reds claimed three points from their trip to North London, at the home of Toure's former club, Rodgers' side would have leapfrogged Arsenal into top spot.
However, the result allowed Saturday's opponents to establish a five-point advantage at the summit; the Liverpool No.4 felt the fixture hinged on which team bagged the second goal.
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"It was a good game between two great teams with great spirit," the defender added.
"Goals change games and when you concede so early at a tough ground like this it becomes very difficult against a top side like Arsenal.
"I think we showed we are mentally strong by the way we fought back. We gave it everything we had.
"We were doing well in the second half but the second goal killed us. If that hadn't gone in the result could have been different.
"We should have done better with the goals we conceded but we will learn from this game. You have to give Arsenal credit as they played very well but we kept going right until the end.
"The season is very long and it's only November. We'll continue working hard.
"We have to think about the next game against Fulham now. We have two of the best strikers in the world.
"They didn't score against Arsenal but we know they will score a lot of goals for us."