Jose Enrique hails 'key man' Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has heaped praise on new teammate Philippe Coutinho and believes that he can be a key player for the side.

The 20-year-old joined the Reds from Inter Milan for £8.5m in the January transfer window, and has impressed with one goal and two assists in his opening four matches for the club.

Enrique has added to Steven Gerrard's compliments of the Brazilian, and has no doubts that Coutinho can be a big player for the Merseysiders.

"The numbers speak for themselves - in four games he has two assists and one goal so I hope he will continue like this scoring goals and making assists," Enrique told Sky Sports News. "He is the type of a player, as a big team, you have to have.

"He can create from nothing in a one versus one. He is playing really well right now and he is the type of player we need.

"Defenders are important but you need people who can score goals and we have now."

Liverpool face Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.