“Selfless and sensational” was how Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers described Philippe Coutinho after he looked to have dampened the fire in Manchester City’s Premier League bid again.

– RELIVE: Capital One Cup Final – Chelsea lift the first title of 2015
– #360view: Pellegrini’s stubbornness could cost him City job
– #360debate: Have United improved under Van Gaal?

The Brazilian struck the winner in last season’s corresponding encounter, but his Reds ended up being pipped to the championship by Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

This time, Coutinho served up a scintillating 75th-minute effort to sink City after Edin Dzeko had cancelled out a powerful drive from Jordan Henderson. It rekindled Liverpool’s top-four hopes, but left City five points behind Chelsea having played a game more.

Rodgers said: “He is a joy to work with – £8.5 million (Dh48.2m), [it’s] frightening to know what he could be worth.

“His performances in particular since he signed his [new five-year] contract, he has started to score goals.

“He is a very selfless player and a very humble young guy and would rather create for others. We are encouraging him. His technique is at a high, high level so he is going to score more goals. 

“He is a joy to watch. He is a kid who has so much ahead of him in the game – 22 years of age people forget he came to us at 19. He is a sensational footballer. To beat Joe Hart at that angle and power was a phenomenal shot.”

But Liverpool as a team were phenomenal given they had only returned around 4.30am on Friday morning after their Europa League defeat to Besiktas. They showed greater desire from the moment Henderson blasted the 11th minute opener.

It was symptomatic of the way City have performed defensively recently. Not sharp enough, nor decisive enough.

Fernandinho was slack with an intended pass to Vincent Kompany and Coutinho was quick to pounce and punish the error by launching a fast-paced counter-attack. He fed Raheem Sterling who spotted a run from the supporting Henderson and the stand-in captain switched the ball onto his right foot and whipped in a glorious, curling effort from 20 yards into the top corner.

City’s response was instant as Sergio Aguero raced onto a lofted ball from David Silva and sent a half-volley past Simon Mignolet, but against the post.

Aguero, inevitably, was involved in the 25th minute leveller, collecting a pass from Silva and then darting across the sea of red shirts before slipping through an inchperfect, astute ball for Dzeko to drive home.

But Coutinho was equally beguiling, balanced and brilliant, and Liverpool’s “little magician” conjured up a sublime winner.

Brushing off the attentions of Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta, he cut inside and smashed the ball past Hart for a wonder strike that has become part of his forte.

City ended up with one shot on target as they failed to win at Anfield for a 13th successive time.

“There were a lot of problems,” said frustrated City boss Pellegrini. “There were two goals from Liverpool, very good goals in the top corner. We miss three clear chances.

“I think we never give up about the title. No, not in spirit. We must try to improve our play first and after that try to win our next game. You never know in football what will happen. I am concerned about the whole team. 

“We will see in the reaction in the next game [against Leicester]. The only way to see is the way we play again on Wednesday.”