Philippe Coutinho stakes star man claim at Anfield with cup winner

Liverpool, 6/1 with Coral for a cup triumph, kept their Wembley dream alive as brilliant Brazilian Philippe Coutinho sensationally struck late on to topple Bolton Wanderers and seal progression to the FA Cup fifth round.

Classy Coutinho stepped up with only minutes remaining in injury time and found the top corner with a stunning long-ranged effort, which curled past a helpless Andy Lonergan to secure a Reds triumph.

Fellow Anfield starlet Raheem Sterling had began Brendan Rodgers’ side’s comeback with a nicely finished second-half strike, after Icelandic veteran Eidur Gudjohnsen had sent Bolton ahead with a calmly-taken penalty.

On Steven Gerrard’s 700th appearance for the Merseyside club, it was promising young guns Coutinho and Sterling that earned their side a place in the fifth round, showing a possible switch in Reds responsibility.

With skipper and club legend Gerrard set to depart his boyhood team next summer after agreeing a move to MLS franchise LA Galaxy, following 17 years and over 180 goals, it will mean Liverpool’s new crop of stars will need to play a more vital role in the upcoming campaigns.

After signing a new long-term deal, Coutinho proved his worth at the Macron Stadium in the dying moments, fantastically firing the Reds back on course for a Wembley showdown in May after Sterling had earlier levelled the game.

#LFC are delighted to confirm that @Phil_Coutinho has signed a new long-term contract with the club #CoutinhoLFC pic.twitter.com/OMoGIEs1dk

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 3, 2015