Manchester City vs Liverpool: Roberto Firmino says Brendan Rodgers had to be

The 24-year old was instrumental in all of Liverpool’s goals in the first half, scoring one himself.

“For us it is important we can see and feel there is a development in our game”.

The point being the striking contrast with what happened before. Very important for the table – we’re on 20 points now.

He told Sky Sports’ Barclays Premier League Weekly: “It was a short period [under Rodgers] but I considered him a great manager but I didn’t get much playing time under him”.

Coutinho doubled the advantage to take his personal tally to four goals in five games against City, finishing off a counter-attack by placing Firmino’s stunning cross through the legs of Joe Hart.

“We know that is where we need to do better and we are more than capable of that”.

After the game, several of the Reds squad have taken to Twitter to post messages to their followers with Simon Mignolet, Alberto Moreno, Nathaniel Clyne, Mamadou Sakho and Jordan Henderson all having their say on the victory over City.

An incisive back-heel from Emre Can got Coutinho in behind the static City back-line just after the half-hour, and the playmaker rolled the ball square for Firmino, who finished into a vacant net from six yards. “Hopefully we can keep keep the confidence going”. Man City were riding high at the top of the league, they have qualified to the next round of the Champions’ League and are looking confident with their league form.

It was an outstanding team performance by the Reds, worthy of recognition as one of 2015/16’s finest, and as he embraced his triumphant side after the final whistle, manager Jurgen Klopp will have been delighted with their collective output.

Mourinho and Pellegrini are two very different managers, with two very different philosophies, at two very different clubs; but the victories against both were as equally as vital in the progress of the team. We pressed them all over the field, created a few chances and I thought we could have had a few more.