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Three players who have impressed for Liverpool this season

Philippe Coutinho

Brazil international Philippe Coutinho has been the shining light in an otherwise underwhelming start to the season from the Reds. Admittedly, the Liverpool squad have been forced to contend with a change of management, but few players have hit genuine form. Coutinho is one of the exceptions. When the diminutive playmaker scored an outrageous winner at Stoke City on the opening day of the season, there was a sense Coutinho could kick on and drive the Liverpool team forward as Luis Suarez had done. But his sending off against West Ham stalled what had been a promising start. Jurgen Klopp’s appointment has reinvigorated Coutinho, as exemplified by his brilliant brace in a 3-1 win at Chelsea. The pint-sized South American netted his fourth goal of the season in Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace last weekend. His recent performances rebooted his campaign and you’d have to make Coutinho favourite to scoop the club’s player of the year award next April on current form.

Jordon Ibe

A controversial choice given Jordon Ibe’s limited game time this season. But the England Under-21 international is providing a genuine buzz with his budding talent. Ibe scored his first Liverpool goal in a 1-0 win against Rubin Kazan and developed a promising understanding with right-back Nathaniel Clyne in the Palace defeat. Ibe has featured in six of Klopp’s seven games in charge but has only started three times. This is something which should change given his recent performances. Klopp has a reputation for transforming promising youngsters into polished world-class players, so as much for his potential as his performances so far, Ibe has given Liverpool fans something to be positive about in a turbulent opening three months.

Nathaniel Clyne

Not as spectacular in terms of impact as Coutinho and Ibe, Nathaniel Clyne has quietly made the transition from Southampton to Liverpool player and made the right-back spot his own. The England defender is a noticeable upgrade on Stoke City full-back Glen Johnson. The Liverpool summer signing has proven to be defensively sound, and he is already showing more attacking intent under new manager Klopp, linking up superbly with Ibe.

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