Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has attempted to alleviate pressure from Philippe Coutinho by claiming that the playmaker has a "long way to go".

The Brazilian, who has impressed on Merseyside since moving to the club from Inter Milan in January, created two of the goals in Saturday's 6-0 victory over Newcastle United.

While Rodgers has hailed Coutinho's ability to settle into the team, the Northern Irishman is wary of people talking up the Brazilian too soon.

"We build up players in the country and put them on a pedestal and then quickly nail them down," Rodgers told the club's official website.

"He's had an outstanding performance and people can see why we brought him in. He's 20 years of age and fits the culture of what we're trying to do here.

"He's technically strong and he's a very humble boy. He works hard, you can see the effort in his game, the pressure, the intensity, so he fits in really well, but there's a long way to go."

Meanwhile, striker Luis Suarez, who has served the first match of his 10-game ban for biting, came second to Gareth Bale in the PFA Player of the Year award.