Brendan Rodgers hails Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge signings

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has cited the signings of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge as the catalyst for the club's upturn in fortunes.

Rodgers bought the pair in January 2013 for a combined fee of around £20m, and the duo have established themselves as key components of a free-scoring Reds attack.

"What was critical was getting those players in," Rodgers told Sky Sports News.

"Once we got Daniel and Philippe in our fortunes changed dramtically. Sturridge gave us that pace and Coutinho has given us that magical touch with the ball.

"Once we got them in, the players started understanding my methods and my characteristics. Before then it was hard for people to judge me because I never had a big playing background."

Liverpool visit West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.