Sunday 6 November 2016 14:24, UK
Jamie Redknapp explains why "magician" Philippe Coutinho is his favourite Liverpool player to watch right now - and why the Reds will have too much for Watford on Super Sunday…
It was just under a year ago that Watford beat Liverpool 3-0 at Vicarage Road. They bullied Jurgen Klopp's side that day. They got balls into the box and made it really difficult for the visitors.
But Liverpool have come a long way since then.
Crystal Palace tried a similar tactic last weekend. They tried to make it awkward for Liverpool, tried to rough them up. If you look at the Liverpool team, you'd think that's the best way to get success against them. It sounds old school, but they have so much ability you have to get in their faces.
Except, that doesn't work now, as their 4-2 win at Selhurst Park showed.
Instead, Liverpool are causing teams problems by pressurising them high up the pitch, chasing them down and harrying them.
They have players you wouldn't expect to work so hard. So-called luxury players are working as hard as anybody for the cause. Philippe Coutinho epitomises that.
When Liverpool are struggling, Coutinho's the one Liverpool look to - and more often than not he takes the game by the scruff of the neck.
The Brazilian magician is my favourite Liverpool player to watch right now. He's the one I look forward to seeing. I'd have loved to have played with someone like him.
He's only 24 but he's such a talented player and he's become Liverpool's talisman. When Liverpool are struggling, he's the one they look to and more often than not he takes the game by the scruff of the neck.
When it comes to picking a combined Premier League XI, there's some fierce competition for who you'd have in that playmaker role. David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Mesut Ozil are all brilliant players. But on his day Coutinho is as good as anyone.
Coutinho is a key part of that potent Liverpool attack, which has made the Reds title contenders this season.
Of course, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise they have problems defensively and when their magicians don't turn up, can Liverpool shut out the opposition and keep a clean sheet?
They have had problems defending set-pieces and I'm not convinced Simon Mignolet or Loris Karius is the answer in goal.
But ultimately, when they play the type of attacking football they do, there are going to be consequences. They open the game up, leave spaces - and have to back themselves to outscore the opposition.
Newcastle played that way under Kevin Keegan, while Barcelona are similar - they look like they can score six or seven but are always vulnerable to conceding two or three.
It's an exciting approach and one I'm sure Liverpool fans are really enjoying.
I reckon they'll be celebrating again this weekend, too. Watford have had a good run and are up to seventh in the table, which is brilliant for them.
But once Liverpool start moving it around at Anfield on Sunday, I think Watford will realise it's going to be a difficult afternoon.
I'm going for a 3-0 win for Liverpool.
