Jamie Redknapp: Philippe Coutinho must emulate Manchester City star David Silva at Liverpool

Jamie Redknapp has urged Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho to replicate Manchester City star David Silva.

Coutinho, 22, has been in impressive form for the Merseyside club, while the World Cup winner with Spain has been in fine form for the Premier League champions since his switch from Valencia to the Etihad five years ago.

The Liverpool midfielder has managed four assists and scored two goals in 20 league appearances. Meanwhile, Silva has netted seven times and has two assists to his name in 17 league appearances.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Redknapp claims the Brazil international needs to deliver the form he showed against Chelsea in the League Cup and West Ham United in the Premier League on a consistent basis.

"Philippe Coutinho was excellent against Chelsea last week and had a fine game against West Ham United at the weekend too," Redknapp told the Daily Mail.

"He set up two goals including one for Raheem Sterling with one of my two favourite passes of the season. It was just as good as Cesc Fabregas's assist for Andre Schurrle against Burnley.

"Now Coutinho needs to start producing these kind of performances week in, week out. He is still only 22 and has all the talent and skill to become a top player but he is not yet consistent enough."

"David Silva is 29 and was the best player on the pitch at Stamford Bridge, even scoring after reacting first to Sergio Aguero's shot, which was possibly heading wide, but he plays like that most weeks for City.

"Coutinho should take a leaf out of his book. In his time in England, Coutinho has been unable to match Silva. But his last two games show he is more than capable. He just has to show he can keep it up."