Philippe Coutinho is already looking a bargain buy for Liverpool at £8.5 ... - Telegraph.co.uk

"In his time when he was fit, he actually performed well. But he was a young player. Notoriously in Italy, a lot of young players don't get the opportunity, hence the reason he went to Español on loan.

"He was only 18, 19 when he started at Inter. You don't see many young players playing in Italian football. He was at the stage where his quality demanded he played regularly, and it was about finding a stage for him to do that.

"When I became aware he was available having known of him when he was in Brazil, I thought it would be perfect for us. He's a wonderful player. He's just turned 21 and he has a great career ahead of him. He has just got physically better since he got here.

"It was interesting to hear how he was talking about how he has improved defensively since coming here, given he used to play in Italy. We put a demand on players that it's not always with the ball, you have to work without the ball. He is a really honest young player who is prepared to press.

"You can see with other foreign players over the years, it takes that wee bit of time to adapt, but he's fully into it now and is working well. His ideal position is in the No 10 role. I've seen him play when Inter had two advanced players and one holding, and he was one of the advanced players. Whether it's a two or a one, he can play in that role, or from the side. But centrally, that's where I see him playing. That's why I'm looking to sign someone for the left wing."

If there is one criticism of the youngster so far, it is that he has been a flat-track bully – tormenting less glamorous clubs – rather than those at the top.

Rodgers is sure that will change soon enough. "He was still gaining his fitness and there were high tempo games [against the top teams last season]," he said. "I have no doubts about him on the big stage. I've seen him play in Champions League games for Inter Milan, he can play in the big games. He has the temperament and quality. He might not have been at his best in those [bigger] games but he has contributed."