'Coutinho goal was wonderfully clever'
Not for the first time this season, Brendan Rodgers simply marvelled at Philippe Coutinho's match-winning quality on Wednesday night.
With 70 minutes gone in a bruising FA Cup quarter-final replay with Blackburn Rovers, the Brazilian was the architect and finisher of the decisive goal.
When his own corner was cleared back toward the flag, Coutinho sensed an opportunity to drift in behind the home defence by firing a one-two with Jordan Henderson.
The return pass was perfect and Liverpool's No.10 strode onto the ball, spotted the chance to find the far corner and walloped a low shot beyond Simon Eastwood.
"He had a lot of work to do," Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com after the final whistle at Ewood Park.
"It seemed that he had a lot of space but to create the space it needed a wonderfully clever piece of play. His combination play in tight areas is top-class. It was a lovely touch by Jordan to play him into the space.
"He has gone in and he cuts across the ball; you see lots of players try to fire it in at the near post, but his technique is wonderful - it was a great finish."
And it was a finish which ensured it is Liverpool who will step onto the Wembley turf to face Aston Villa in the second semi-final next Sunday.
It's an occasion for everyone involved with the club to look forward to, though Rodgers emphasised that nothing has been achieved yet in the search for success.
The manager added: "It's something I'm very proud of, of course, but it's a semi-final - I'll be prouder if we're leading the team out for the final.
"We've got important league games before that, but certainly getting to the final is something that is very much clear in our minds.
"Now we've got to get ready for our league game [against Newcastle United] and when Aston Villa comes, we'll be ready for that as well."