Philippe Coutinho Key to Liverpool Progress as Reds Beat Swansea

Liverpool comfortably saw off Swansea City 4-1 at Anfield courtesy of goals from Alberto Moreno, Adam Lallana (two) and a Jonjo Shelvey own goal.

Brendan Rodgers' side enjoyed their best performance of the season, ensuring they ended 2014 on a positive note and sending supporters away with a reminder of what they enjoyed last season.

It also ensured they moved above Swansea in the Premier League table, finishing the year with a positive goal difference at last.

The man who made the Reds tick was Philippe Coutinho, who is now revelling in his role within the new system, having struggled to find form this season.

Having been heralded as the "brain in our team" by Rodgers in pre-season, the Brazilian struggled to continue his form from last season. In the early months of this campaign, he found himself played out wide and in and out of the side.

Monday's match saw Coutinho start a fifth game in a row for the first time this season, having been in and out of the side and used in different positions.

Finally, a run in the side in his best position in a central role has seen him find form. Getting him, Lallana and Raheem Sterling combining in dangerous areas has been key to Liverpool regaining their attacking verve and energy in the final third.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Of course, quite why Rodgers has taken so long to give Coutinho this opportunity centrally and consistently is somewhat baffling.

Coutinho linked up excellently with Moreno down the left-hand side, the duo linking expertly in the lead-up to the opening goal. Indeed, Moreno to Coutinho was Liverpool's top pass combination, as the Spaniard fed the Brazilian 15 times.

Coutinho was at it again for Lallana's second in the second half, playing in a beautiful backheel for Lallana, who then finished well in front of goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

"

62mins: Wow...what a goal that was. Coutinho brilliantly backheels into Lallana's path and he beats two defenders before slotting home. 3-1

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 29, 2014"

21 passes completed in the final third shows just how influential Coutinho was on the night.

"

Love that time in the year when Coutinho remembers he's brilliant and starts taking the piss out of the opposition

— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) December 29, 2014"

The only sour note of the night was Sterling's altercation with Federico Fernandez.

The 20-year-old looked tired in the second half, but Rodgers didn't replace him even once the score got to 4-1, waiting another 15 minutes before bringing on Mario Balotelli for the final 10 minutes.

With Leicester City arriving at Anfield in three days, Sterling could have used a rest and Liverpool will be hoping he doesn't face a suspension just when Liverpool are finding their attacking edge again and also some defensive stability with the introduction of three at the back as well as Emre Can.

Praise will go to Lallana for his two goals, but Coutinho certainly deserves to be acclaimed too.

Unless otherwise noted, statistics courtesy of FourFourTwo.