Rodgers: Coutinho is a class act
A 'class act' were the words used by Brendan Rodgers to describe Philippe Coutinho, who has enjoyed a series of luminary displays for Liverpool.
The Brazilian's artistry and manipulation of space has engaged in the eye in recent games, with the Reds profiting from his front-foot finesse.
Coutinho has shrugged off a stifled start to the season, which the manager admitted was due to a lack of movement and invention ahead of him. Just as speed and attacking intensity has returned for Rodgers' men, so too has the playmaker's creative intelligence.
Against a masterful Chelsea midfield, the 22-year-old weaved his magic and often turned his markers into spectators as he supplied his teammates in advanced areas.
"He was outstanding the other night," the Liverpool boss said of that semi-final performance in the Capital One Cup first leg.
"It was a difficult start to the season for him because if you think of Phil Coutinho, he has that bit of magic to make the key pass in the final third and combines with people ahead of him so well.
"Last year he had a [Luis] Suarez and a [Daniel] Sturridge to make those passes to and he could work well with their style.
"At the beginning of this season, he didn't have that. Probably until six or seven weeks ago, his ability to make that threaded pass through wasn't on because he didn't have that [energy and movement up front]."
The change in system for Liverpool has returned Coutinho to his role of making things happen, and Rodgers predicts more marvel from the slick passer as he matures.
"We had to look at how to bring out the best in all our players, and once he's had mobility, energy and speed around him, it's lifted his game," he added.
"He's a class act, and he's still got so much growth and development to undertake here."