The Reds boss emphasises the importance of the collective after thrashing the Magpies 6-0 without Luis Suarez after a “traumatic week”, praising Philippe Coutinho particularly

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has asserted that his side are “not a one-man team” as, in Luis Suarez’s absence, the Reds romped to a 6-0 victory over Newcastle.

With the Uruguayan suspended for 10 games after his already-infamous bite on Branislav Ivanovic, Daniel Sturridge led the line and scored two in a comprehensive win for the Reds.

Another double from Jordan Henderson, along with a goal apiece from Fabio Borini and Daniel Agger, made it six and Rodgers emphasised the importance of a team performance in his leading goalscorer’s absence.

“It’s very much about the collective, how we pass together, how we press together and how we penetrate together. We showed that today. We’re definitely not a one-man team,” he told reporters after the match.

“We had a couple of group meetings this week to narrow our focus. We needed to realign the focus on what was important and what’s important was the football game today.”

The former Swansea City boss proceeded to hail his players’ response to what had been, by his own admission, a “traumatic” week, while he was eager to laud the efforts of another standout performer in Philippe Coutinho.

“It’s been a traumatic week. We accepted that. Luis did wrong, he takes his punishment and we move on,” Rodgers continued.

“We were brilliant from the first whistle, right until the end. To come here and get a victory of 6-0 is very impressive.”

“[Coutinho] is already a top player. Might be small in stature but he’s got all the passes in the bag. He’s also got strength, you could see that for the third goal. Great thing is he will only get better.”