Liverpool legend John Aldridge has hailed the return of Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian playmaker came on as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, having suffered a shoulder injury in the 2-2 draw with Swansea City on September 16.

Speaking in his column in the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge talked up the "amazing ability" of the diminutive attacking midfielder, and said that he was glad he was back in the side.

"The one real positive on Saturday was the sight of Philippe Coutinho back in a Liverpool shirt," said Aldridge.

"He's a creative influence with his amazing ability to pick a pass and he's also a goalscorer. The manager (Brendan Rodgers) has to play a system which ensures we get the best out of Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge over the coming months.

"Whether he sticks with 3-4-1-2 and plays Coutinho just behind the front two in the centre or changes to a flat back four and plays the Brazilian on the left hand side, I'm not sure. But we certainly need all our match-winners out there as we don't have enough of them."

Coutinho signed for the Reds from Inter Milan in January for around £8.5m.