Brendan Rodgers praises Philippe Coutinho performance against Hull City

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has stated that midfielder Philippe Coutinho was "outstanding" in the team's defeat to Hull City.

The Merseyside club's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season took a blow on Tuesday night as they lost 1-0 to the Premier League strugglers at the KC Stadium.

Rodgers says that Coutinho's performance was one positive that he can take from the match.

"Young Coutinho tonight was outstanding," the Liverpool boss told the club's official website.

"But in games now he's having to hang on to the ball for a lot longer, he's looking for those runs and the type of movement that he's had here for a couple of years that maybe isn't there so much."

Liverpool are seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with four games remaining.