'Carra thinks the world of Coutinho'
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has revealed how Jamie Carragher eulogised about Philippe Coutinho's talents in a recent conversation between the pair.
Carragher trained and played alongside the Brazilian midfielder during the final five months of his Liverpool career.
The Bootle boy's return to the first team under Brendan Rodgers coincided with Coutinho's scintillating early form after arriving on Merseyside in January.
Murphy told talkSPORT after Liverpool's thrilling 1-0 win over Stoke on Saturday: "I spoke to Jamie a couple of weeks ago and I know he thinks the world of Coutinho, in terms of his potential.
"Coutinho's end-product was what impressed me [against Stoke]. He got in the right positions, his passes were correct, he made the right choices and he threatened the goal.
"He could actually have scored a couple himself. He put one just past the post."
Liverpool took the lead in the 37th minute of their season-opener at Anfield after applying near-constant pressure from the kick-off.
Daniel Sturridge took matters into his own hands to drill a low shot past Asmir Begovic, who had previously looked unbeatable, and send Anfield into ecstasy.
There was late drama when Daniel Agger handled in the box and Jonathan Walters stood poised to send Kopites home disappointed.
However, Simon Mignolet's heroics prompted frantic celebrations on the Kop - and Sturridge's goal proved decisive when the final whistle was blown.
Murphy reflected: "Sturridge, for me, just seems to get better. It's all about confidence and he doesn't lack in that area. He shoots from anywhere, he's got skill to beat people and Stoke couldn't handle him.
"If they can keep those two [Coutinho and Sturridge] fit, I think Liverpool have got a real chance of a top-four finish."