The 22-year-old Brazilian has made a big impression in pre-season this summer and his manager expects big things from the former Inter midfielder both at home and in Europe

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes that the “magical” Philippe Coutinho can take the Champions League by storm.

The Brazilian playmaker has regularly shown glimpses of his ability since arriving at Anfield from Inter in January 2013.

He made 33 Premier League appearances as Liverpool went agonisingly close to winning the title last term and was one of their standout players throughout pre-season after missing out on a place in his country’s World Cup squad.

The Reds will return to the Champions League in 2014-15 following a five-year absence and, after watching a virtuoso Coutinho display in his side’s 4-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, Rodgers tipped the 22-year-old to shine on European club football’s biggest stage.

“He’s so gifted – his ability is magical [and] the weight of his pass is phenomenal,” Rodgers purred to the press.

“He’s come into the country and lit it up with his quality. [The important thing for his development] is sustaining that level of performance.

“He’s got the opportunity to show he’s a top-level player in the Champions League and he’ll do that.

“Over the next four or five years, he’ll be a big talent in world football for Brazil and Liverpool. We’re lucky to have him.”

Coutinho – whom the manager hopes to tie down to a new contract – was among the scorers as Liverpool routed Dortmund at Anfield and Rodgers was thrilled with his team’s performance.

“[I’m] delighted with the result – they [Dortmund] have been one of Europe’s best teams for the last three or four years,” he added. “We were excellent and this brings to an end what has been a very good pre-season.”

The Dortmund boss believes his side will recover well for Wednesday’s DFL-Super Cup tie with Bayern Munich but was disappointed in their defending on Sunday

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool were the “wrong opponent on the wrong day” after his side suffered a 4-0 humiliation at the hands of the English club in a friendly.

Daniel Sturridge, Dejan Lovren, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson were on target as Brendan Rodgers’ side demolished the Bundesliga giants just days before their DFL-Supercup match with Bayern Munich.

Klopp admitted his side were second best in everything throughout Sunday’s match, but expects his team to improve considerably once they have settled back into playing regularly after the summer.

“It was the wrong day and the wrong opponent for us in Liverpool,” the coach told Ruhr Nachrichten.

“The first two goals we conceded, we didn’t defend well. If you make mistakes like those we made, then you will lose against an opponent like Liverpool.

“Our preparation has thus far been relatively unproblematic. From now on we will rest for the DFL-Supercup. The rhythm will come, then the freshness will return too.”

Klopp and his men will be looking to replicate last year’s victory over Bayern in the pre-Bundesliga trophy clash, which will be played at their Signal Iduna Park.

The Serbian picked up a tendon injury during the Reds’ participation in the International Champions Cup, but boss Rodgers expects to have him back in the coming weeks

Lazar Markovic could hand Liverpool a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener with Southampton by returning to full fitness.

The close-season signing from Benfica has missed the final four games of Liverpool’s pre-season schedule with a tendon problem sustained on his debut against Olympiakos in Chicago.

However, Brendan Rodgers is optimistic that the winger could be available for selection against Southampton. And, if Markovic does miss out, the Reds boss expects to have him at his disposal when last season’s runners-up travel to champions Manchester City the following week.

Speaking after Liverpool thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 on Sunday, Rodgers said: “He’ll hopefully be around then [for the Southampton match], but if not then he certainly will for the next game.

“He had a slight problem with his tendon, but he’s up to speed.

“He’s working with our sports science team.

“He’s looking very strong and if he just misses out, he certainly should be available for the next game.”

Markovic made 49 appearances in all competitions for Benfica last season and scored seven goals, before he was snapped up by the Merseyside outfit for £20 million this summer.