Liverpool aren’t exactly flying, but still have a 100% record so far this season. Monday’s victory over Bournemouth followed a last gasp winner against stubborn Stoke. The victory on the opening weekend saw the Reds inflict at least some revenge on the Potters, who cruised to 6-1 win during the final game of last season.

Brilliant Brazilian Philippe Coutinho is the man to thank for that.

As Brendan Rodgers wraps up a second consecutive summer spending spree, the hunt for Luis Suarez’s successor continues. Millions have been spent trying to replace the iconic Uruguayan, with Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert failing to convince. Former Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is the latest to try his luck, and his strike against Bournemouth certainly helped his cause at least get underway, but perhaps the Mersey siders had the answer all along.

In Coutinho, the Reds have one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe. Season by season, the former Inter Milan prodigy has grown into his Anfield surroundings, and can now rightly claim to be Liverpool’s best player. Daniel Sturridge may argue, but it’s hard to hear him from the injury table.

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The diminutive attacker proved he has many strings to bow, with a wonder strike at the Britannia securing all three points when the game looked to be heading to a dull stalemate. Since Suarez’s sale, much has been made about the lack of game-changers in Liverpool’s side, but their brilliant Brazilian is growing ever closer in importance to the now Barcelona star.

Able to strike from long range, run at terrified defenders or sneak pesky through balls into space you didn’t even know was there, the 23-year old is becoming the centre piece in Rodgers’ side. Suarez, Raheem Sterling and iconic Steven Gerrard have left the club for pastures new, and Countinho can stamp his authority on the side.

The playmaker looks ready to take on the mantle as Liverpool’s main attacking threat. With Sturridge so often injured, and new signings needing time to bed in, the burden lies with him.

Compatriot Kaka, who oddly enough was picked over the Anfield star in the latest Brazil squad, has praised the young Seleaco star, ‘you can build the team around one great player, and I believe he can be that player.’ High praise from the 2007 Ballon D’Or winner.

A place in the PFA Team of the Year last season was sadly the only rewards the attacker received last year, after some excellent form. As the season progressed, he started to take over games and accept responsibility for his struggling side.

The nature of Sunday’s strike had shades of dear departed Steven Gerrard. With the club captain now gone, Liverpool have lost a big part of their identity. If they can keep Coutinho on song, the Reds have plenty to shout about.

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