PREVIEW: Liverpool v West BromLiverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects new signing Philippe Coutinho to up the ante in the battle for places but insists he will not push the player too hard too soon.

The 20-year-old Brazilian arrived from Inter Milan in the final few days of the transfer window. However, he has only just spent his first few days training after returning to Italy to finalise all the necessary aspects of the move.

Rodgers is pinning his hopes on a recent upturn in their home form, which has seen them win three successive matches and score 12 times, and the boost in confidence from successive draws with Arsenal and Manchester City. “In terms of the performance level I can only be happy after those games,” he added.