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Brendan Rodgers believes “little magician” Philippe Coutinho will become world class if he can add more goals to his game.

The Brazilian playmaker is enjoying a rich vein of form for the Reds and he provided both assists in Saturday’s 2-0 win over West Ham.

His only weakness is his finishing with just two goals in 31 appearances so far this season scant reward for his breathtaking talent.

“Young Phil is performing at a real high level and it’s a great to see because he’s a little magician with the ball,” Rodgers said.

“The rhythm of his game is good. I’m trying to just manage him because he’s played a lot of games.

“His courage and bravery to get on the ball is fantastic. If he can continue to improve – he can improve his goalscoring ability – then he will get into that bracket of being world class.

Rodgers believes Coutinho, who endured a tough start to the season, has benefited from the greater mobility Liverpool have had up front in recent months.

The Reds boss has played Raheem Sterling as a central striker and now Daniel Sturridge is back fit. The duo both scored against the Hammers after being picked out by Coutinho.

“He’s come into his own over the past couple of months,” Rodgers said.

“That’s purely because of the movement in front. He’s a creator. He looks for the last pass.

“For that type of player, you need that movement in front of the ball and people to penetrate in behind.

“At the beginning of the season we didn’t quite have that in the team. Phil was maybe on the ball that bit longer and getting caught more than he usually would. But you see him now and he’s in a real good moment.”

Sturridge scored on his comeback against West Ham after five months out injured but he isn’t yet ready to start matches. He’s likely to be on the bench for Wednesday’s FA Cup tie at Bolton.

Rodgers has praised Sterling for how he has performed in an advanced central role during Sturridge’s absence.

Once Sturridge is fully fit, Sterling is likely to be utilised just behind his fellow England international.

“Raheem has been brilliant in the period since I put him up there,” he said.

“He has shown how adaptable he is and how intelligent he is as a footballer. He has the qualities to play in that position.

“Of course he has played a lot either on the sides or just underneath a main striker. But Raheem has shown that if he plays that role as a striker he will get goals.

“Daniel obviously has more experience and knows the movement patterns probably a bit better. Daniel coming back gives all the other players confidence as having a top striker around improves everyone.

“We just need to be careful with Dan as he’s been out a long time. The beauty of him is that he makes others around him better.

“We saw the impact of him when he came on. That’s what good players do – they give others confidence.

“It’s clear he’s not at the stage to start matches yet but he’s able to play a part. Him coming back for the second half of the season is a real help for us.”