For weeks now, Philippe Coutinho has been a little disappointing. Since his return from injury, the Brazilian has struggled to replicate the brilliance, skill and finishing that had become almost expected on a weekly basis. On Saturday lunchtime, when the Reds needed him more than ever, he produced and was back at his best.

With 43% of Liverpool’s attacking play coming down the left flank, it’s clear that Coutinho was at the heart of everything that Liverpool created as they battered the Toffees. His skill and movement on the wing gave the visitors nightmares and left them dizzy time after time as Coutinho weaved in and out, completing an impressive six dribbles.

One of those was particularly important as, in the 31st minute, he gave Liverpool the lead only three minutes after being pegged back to 1-1, as he finished off the move with an exquisite finish which found the far side of the net in an almost replicate move to one he had produced minutes earlier only for his shot to be saved.

Typical of his unselfish style, the Brazilian didn’t stop there. With three key passes, one helped to add a third as he found Divock Origi after beating Idrissa Gueye and knocking the ball into space for the Belgian to smash home in a clear man of the match display from the number 10.

Withdrawn with 17 minutes to go for young Trent Alexander-Arnold, Coutinho had done enough to ensure that the game had already been won and certainly warranted Liverpool’s decision to hire a private jet to fly him and Roberto Firmino back from South America overnight on Wednesday.

With injuries hitting in for Jurgen Klopp, with Sadio Mane joining Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson in the physio’s room after a nasty collision, the Reds need Coutinho to produce this kind of form more than ever. Now that he has shown what he is capable of once again, a top four finish seems increasingly possible for the red half of Merseyside.

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