Raheem Sterling and 5 Liverpool Players Who Must Build on Improved Performances

Liverpool got back to doing what they do best against Bournemouth on Wednesday night—winning in the most cavalier way possible—and with it, booking themselves a Capital One Cup semi-final date with Chelsea.

Brendan Rodgers went back to what worked last season— abandoning any ideas of tightening up Liverpool's defence and playing his team very high up so as to defend from the front.

It was far from the perfect performances that had the Kop signing "poetry in motion" last season, but it was a step (back) in the right direction.

In fact, it had all the characteristics of a Liverpool match from 2013-14—waves of attacking relentlessness that saw the Reds 3-0 up after 51 minutes, but then always look nervy at the back.

At the forefront of the "we'll just score more goals than them" attitude was Raheem Sterling, who left his missed chances of Sunday's defeat at Old Trafford behind to score two either side of Lazar Markovic's first goal for the club.

Sterling thrived in his central role—his pace a threat for Bournemouth's defence all night. Making the space behind and in front of the home side's back line his own, Sterling's style was reminiscent of how Luis Suarez used to boss that area of the pitch.

Here we look at five more Liverpool players who must build on their improved performances from Wednesday night.

Lazar Markovic

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It's safe to say Markovic's Liverpool career is yet to get going—a stumbled journey through injury so far.

But the 20-year-old will be boosted by his first goal for the Reds—a great strike from the edge of the box to steer home the second of the night.

Throughout the game the Serbian looked lively and must now be given game time to develop into a Premier League player.

Adam Lallana

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Adam Lallana continued his recent fine form—his Premier League and international experience leaving Bournemouth players in the shadows.

Able to move Liverpool's play higher, he played an integral role in the Reds taking a convincing lead shortly into the second half—providing a perfectly weighted through ball to Sterling for the third of the night.

Lallana will be a very important player for Brendan Rodgers' side over the festive period.

Philippe Coutinho

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After a mediocre start to the season, Philippe Coutinho is beginning to show why his creativity is integral to Liverpool restoring success consistently.

From superb, intricate passing to helping the flow of Liverpool's movement up the pitch, the Brazilian must continue to start to regain the confidence he oozed last season. 

Mamadou Sakho

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Mamado Sakho's first appearance since September began rather shakily and his positioning in the build-up to Bournemouth's goal must be questioned, but as the half went on he settled into his defensive role.

The extent of Dejan Lovren's injury, which forced the Croatian off at half-time and Sakho's subsequent introduction into the game, is not yet known. However, Sakho will be hoping for more game time and to finally stake his claim as Liverpool's leading centre-back.

Martin Skrtel

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Martin Skrtel looked more confident and reliable throughout the game at the Goldsands Stadium than he has for a long time.

Liverpool's more offensively minded tactics appear to have taken some of the pressure off the Slovakian, who, with more stability in the team's game plan, should now look to restore himself to the top of his game.