All Eyes on Coutinho

The upcoming fixture list looks fairly good for Liverpool starting with Swansea (H) this weekend, then Wigan (A), Spurs (H), Southampton (A), Aston Villa (A) and West Ham (H). BR will be targeting maximum points from all these games, a target that the Reds will have to achieve if they are to turn their European qualification dreams into a reality.

The problem is that Liverpool have an over-reliance on Luis Suarez, who fortunately for the Anfield faithful has far exceeded expectations thus far with some fantastic performances and a very healthy goal return. If you put the little Uruguayan to one side, however, the team is very short on flair players, the kind of player who can make a difference when it counts and give the supporters something to cheer about.

With Steven Gerrard often playing a deeper role earlier in the season, Brendan Rodgers recognised that the Reds lack a way of bridging the gap between midfield and attack, a point that has been emphasized by Suarez having to play as a lone striker for the last few months. He has tried playing Jonjo Shelvey in a number 10 role operating behind Suarez, but that idea hasn't really born fruit.


Liverpool's new number 10



Liverpool's new Brazilian midfielder just might be the missing link that the Reds need to spur them on to a period of positive results, coming off the back of some indifferent performances from the team.

Having already invested in a new striker during the transfer window, with the signing of the excellent Daniel Sturridge - who is already well on his way to becoming a fan favourite after a series of goals - BR looked abroad and got his man with the promising Coutinho, who has already been capped by Brazil.

Signed on 30th January 2013, having finally secured a work permit, Philippe Coutinho arrived at Anfield from Inter with probably very little idea of the weight that would shortly be placed upon his young shoulders.

As part of the process of getting him up to full match fitness, Coutinho was given his first taste of football for the Reds, albeit a soured taste as a late substitute in Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to West Brom. Ineligible to play for Liverpool in Europe this season, Coutinho watched as Liverpool lost by the same margin to Zenit St Petersburg, and could be forgiven for wondering if he had made the right choice in moving to Merseyside.

This weekend Rodgers comes up against his former club, as Swansea visit Anfield. A win is a must, and no doubt BR will play Suarez, Sturridge and Gerrard with Coutinho also given a role to play, so the Reds' attacking power will be on full display.

If Coutinho can help inspire Liverpool to a win over Swansea, that will help relieve some of the pressure on Suarez and BR, and Reds fans can start dreaming of finally seeing a free-flowing, attacking Liverpool team that might just be capable of challenging for honours.

Maybe not this season, but certainly in 2013-14.

#YNWA