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LIVERPOOL -- Philippe Coutinho's form has made him a contender for English football's player of the season awards, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. Coutinho, 22, has scored spectacular goals in the Reds' last two Premier League games -- victories over Southampton and Manchester City. The Brazilian playmaker's fine form won him the Professional Footballers' Association Fans' Player of the Month award for February. Coutinho has long been adept at creating chances for others, but the addition of goals to his game is pleasing Rodgers. The midfielder struggled as Liverpool won only four of their opening 12 league fixtures this season, but has had a significant role in the team's current 11-match unbeaten league run. He is set to figure as Rodgers' side, who are fifth in the table, seek to move into the top four -- and a Champions League qualification spot -- when they host Burnley on Wednesday. When asked if Coutinho was in contention for player of the year prizes, Rodgers said: "He's certainly going to be up there, there's no doubt about that. "He's played very well. We had that period when the team suffered at the start of the season. We lacked penetration at the top end of the field, and he's the player who thrives on that. "He's normally the player who makes the last pass to those guys running in to score the goals. "We didn't quite have that in the opening months, and he suffered because he had to stay longer on the ball and wasn't as effective. "But now the dynamics of the team are very good. We've got the pressing and the movement off the ball. That allows him, with his technical quality, to shine. "He's started to add goals to his game too, and he's scored some fantastic goals -- but very importantly, he's contributing to the team. And for him, there are still improvements to make, with his being so young." "We have a lot of young players, and if you track their ages then it's very exciting. If they all stay together then it can be a real exciting time here at this club." Rodgers said he believes Coutinho has multiplied his transfer value several times over during his time at Anfield. When asked by reporters what Coutinho might now be worth on the open market, Rodgers responded: "I wouldn't know. I wouldn't want to put a value on him. What he gives to the team, he offers that gold dust to how we play. "He's a wonderful player. If you see his videos playing futsal when he was eleven or twelve in Brazil, he's playing the same game now only as an adult. We put him in when he was 19. We knew he had ability, it was just about trusting that ability and allowing it to grow. "We gave him a new contract to reward him for what he's done, but before he did sign we spoke about what he needs to do to go the next level and about scoring goals more regularly because if he can add goals consistently to the talent he'll be right up there as a world class talent. Information from Kevin Palmer was used in this report.
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