Phillipe Coutinho starred once again as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 pre-season win over Thailand.

A superb solo effort from the Brazilian provided the difference between the two sides in the first half, though Simon Mignolet was forced into making two important saves before the break.

Coutinho then teed up Iago Aspas after half-time, before skipper Steven Gerrard converted a third to complete victory.

Brendan Rodgers made six changes from his side’s 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory but it was Suarez who made the headlines yet again, the Uruguayan forward being kept on the bench for the second friendly running.

As is becoming a regular fixture, though, Coutinho provided the early creativity for Rodgers’s side as he combined with Fabio Borini to good effect inside the opening few minutes.

And the Reds’ first big chance came after more incisive running from the 21-year-old, though Aspas’s powerful shot was deflected for a corner.

Borini was next to threaten, first with an acrobatic volley and then a run at goal from distance but there was only ever going to be one man to open the scoring and Coutinho did so with a splendid move on 15 minutes. Receiving the ball in the Thailand area, the Brazilian did what he does best, twisting past two defenders and placing the ball into the bottom corner.

Thailand hit straight back, however, and Teerasil almost got them back on level terms with a curling shot that flashed just wide of Mignolet’s near post.

Disappointingly for boss Rodgers, Liverpool then subsided into a defensive shell, allowing the home side to dictate play for an extended period.

Thailand’s subsequent dominance forced keeper Mignolet into action on two occasions, though the Belgian responded in fine fashion with two fantastic saves. Aspas then fired across goal from a tight angle, before the half-time whistle signalled the end of a satisfactory half for the Reds.

After the break, however, Aspas would make no mistake with a clinical short-range finish, though credit was again due to Coutinho for a simple yet genius pass into the area.

Liverpool’s second signalled an end to Thailand’s admirable resistance and the Spaniard was involved yet again as Gerrard converted a third.

Another intricate move from the Reds saw Aspas unleashed in the area and he duly cut the ball back to his skipper, who sent a fine chip over the Thai keeper and into the back of the net.

From thereon in, the priority for Rodgers’s side undoubtedly became keeping a clean sheet: they had not conceded a single goal thus far in pre-season.

But there was still time for Suarez to come on amidst loud cheers from the Bangkok crowd – and hit the bar with a thumping header. Gerrard had played the Uruguay forward in with a dangerous free kick but the 26-year-old stopped short of adding a fourth.

The captain himself then clipped the crossbar with a chip but the visitors would have to make do with just the three.

The 34-year-old believes that the Liverpool forward can help fill the void left at the Gunners by Thierry Henry’s departure and urges Arsene Wenger to keep pursuing his signature

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has urged Arsenal to sign Luis Suarez if they want to become serious title contenders once again.

As exclusively revealed by Goal, the forward is preparing to submit a transfer request to force a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Depsite Liverpool having so far rejected two bids for from the Gunners, Forlan believes that his compatriot would be the ideal recruit for Arsene Wenger.

“If they manage to sign Luis, then I think, with the players they already have, they would be serious title contenders again,” the Internacional striker told reporters.

“Only Luis knows what his plans are but he would be a great signing for Arsenal.”

Forlan believes that the Gunners’ inability to challenge for trophies in recent years has stemmed from a failure to replace legendary striker Thierry Henry.

“Of course, Arsenal are a very strong team but, for the last years, they have not been able to compete with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea for the title,” the 34-year-old continued.

“They have had very good players but have maybe lacked that one special player who you need to win a league as strong as the Premier League.

“United have had Wayne Rooney and City have had Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez but Arsenal have struggled since Thierry Henry left.”

The wantaway Liverpool striker has confided in the former Everton man over housing and schools in the capital after telling the Anfield outfit of his intention to leave

SUAREZ IN LONDON HOUSE-HUNT WITH A VIEW TO ARSENAL MOVELuis Suarez told Liverpool earlier this week that he wants to leave the club and join Arsenal this summer.

The Sweeper can reveal that the Uruguayan has now begun looking for houses and schools in London.

It is understood that the father-of-one has spoken on the phone to Arsenal vice-captain and fellow Spanish speaker Mikel Arteta about both where his family would live were they to relocate to the capital and possible schools for his young daughter, Delfina.
 
Arteta is highly regarded at Arsenal for his leadership skills and vocal dressing-room presence and is expected to lead the team in the opening two months of the new season in the absence of the injured Thomas Vermaelen.

His conversations with Suarez demonstrate the Uruguayan’s growing desire to leave Anfield and become Arsenal’s club-record signing.

As revealed by Goal, the Gunners lodged a second formal bid for the striker on Monday, believed to be worth £42 million including add-ons.

Liverpool insist that Suarez is not for sale and have let it be known to the player’s camp that he would have to lodge an official transfer request in writing in order to leave Merseyside. Sources have said that the forward is ready do so as he steps up his plans to remove one of the obstacles to his exit.

Arsenal believe that they have been given enough encouragement from the Uruguayan’s representatives that he is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium and are increasingly confident that they can capture the 26-year-old, with no other club yet to make a bid for him.

However, any prospective deal has been muddied by the contents of a £40m clause in Suarez’s contract, which his advisers believe entitles him to ask for permission to speak to any club that matches the price.

But Liverpool claim they only have to inform Suarez and the clause does not oblige them to sell. There is the prospect that the player may take legal action to force through a move.

– Wayne Veysey

MANCHESTER UNITED TO USE MCILROY MEGA-DEAL IN NIKE NEGOTIATIONS

Manchester United will use golfer Rory Mcllroy’s recent £220m sponsorship tie-up with sportswear giants Nike to leverage against their next kit deal.

The Red Devils are desperate to open talks about a new long-term association, with the present deal set to expire in 2015, after 13 years as the club’s official supplier.

But sources have indicated that Nike are currently dragging their heels, with profits not as big as expected during the association.

United currently pocket around £25m a season and are looking for at least double that this time around.

The Old Trafford money-men were stunned by the huge amount McIlroy, a big United fan, was handed back in January, as part of a 10-year agreement. They will argue that Manchester United are a much bigger brand in terms of what they are worth.

– Paul Clennam

JULIO CESAR EYES LATEST ITALIAN JOB

Julio Cesar remains on QPR’s books after failing to land a move this summer, with Napoli, Arsenal and Roma all making concerted attempts to sign him.

But the Brazil No.1 is not expecting to play his football in the Championship next season and Fiorentina are the latest club to show an interest in buying him.

Rangers need to offload Cesar from their wage bill – he is believed to earn around £80,000-a-week – as they prepare for life in the second tier.

The west Londoners would settle for a loan deal but would prefer a permanent sale at their £1.5m valuation.

– Wayne Veysey