Classy Coutinho catches eye

Liverpool 4 West Ham United 1

The Uruguay striker scored one and played a major part in the fourth as Liverpool moved up to second in the Premier League.

But it was another of Liverpool’s potential World Cup stars that caught the eye of manager Brendan Rodgers as the Reds comfortably beat West Ham.

Philippe Coutinho may have only one cap for Brazil, but if he continues in the manner in which he took the Hammers defence apart then Luiz Felipe Scolari will seem foolish if he does not give the former Inter Milan forward a chance to shine in next summer’s tournament.

Breaking into the Brazil squad is not an easy task with attacking midfielders in abundance for the Samba stars, but Rodgers feels his man deserves his chance.

And he has told Scolari, who he worked with at Chelsea, as much.

“He is such a talent now,” said Rodgers. “They obviously have such an array of talent. I am constantly onto Scolari about him because I know him from my Chelsea days. I have been onto him about Coutinho and Lucas. Coutinho is a brilliant player but I suppose they are looking at others.

“They have Neymar, Oscar and Bernard so they have a raft of talent there — but he is an exceptional player for 21.

“All he can do is just keep playing and keep pushing his case and hopefully he might get into the squad.

“I email Scolari about him. My job is just to reinforce. Felipe has just asked me to keep an eye on the Brazilian boys and give him any

feedback — even ones at other clubs.

“But I’m only concerned about the ones that are here. Lucas has got into the squad, which was great, so hopefully Philippe can.

“Obviously it is more difficult for his position as there is a lot of competition and players but he is certainly at that level.”

Coutinho’s threat was evident from the off as he created two early chances for the in-form Suarez but it was Guy Demel, the West Ham defender, who put Liverpool in front.

Suarez’s shot was saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen only for Demel to rush in and bundle it over the line. When Mamadou Sakho’s mishit effort went in after the break, West Ham looked well beaten until Steven Gerrard went off in the 56th minute. The absence of the Liverpool captain, who could now be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, allowed West Ham to get back into the game, with Reds defender Martin Skrtel turning into his own goal to give them hope.

But, as has happened so often this season, Suarez was the difference. He headed in the third with nine minutes to go that ensured West Ham would not be stealing a point.

The fourth came from Suarez’s shot that flew in off Joey O’Brien’s leg and marked down as another own goal for the Hammers.

To compound their woes Sam Allardyce’s side also had Kevin Nolan sent off for a nasty challenge on Jordan Henderson to give the West Ham manager more selection headaches for their clash with Sunderland next week.

Stewart Downing was also taken off at half-time with an injured Achilles. Players and points are both on shortage for the Hammers who sit just outside of the relegation zone.

“We are in a very difficult position at the moment,” Allardyce said. “With the league and the position we are in, but also the amount of players we have already got out, so to have two more not available is a big problem.

“That’s why I said Nolan’s dismissal was irresponsible. I know it came out of frustration, but he is experienced enough in his career and it is unlike him as well, to do that type of thing.”

For Liverpool, it is much more positive and some fans will be even eyeing up a potential title challenge, but a Champions League place is a more realistic target.

“We just keep going,” added Rodgers. “It is each game at a time. These were games that were tough for us last year but give credit to the players for making it more straightforward.”

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Mignolet 7; Flanagan 6 (Kelly 79), Sakho 6, Skrtel 6, Johnson 6; Allen 7, Gerrard 7 (Lucas 56, 6); Henderson 6, Coutinho 8, Sterling 5 (Moses 72, 6); Suarez 8.

WEST HAM (4-1-4-1): Jaaskelainen 7; Demel 5, Collins 6, Tomkins 6 (O’Brien 56, 5), McCartney 6; Noble 5; Downing 6 (J Cole 45, 5), Nolan 5, Diame 6, Jarvis 6 (Taylor 84); Maiga 5.

Referee: M Oliver (Northants).