The obvious relationship which Philippe Coutinho and Christian Benteke are developing should be a frightening prospect for Premier League defences, Brendan Rodgers has stated.
The pair have already produced match-winning performances for Liverpool this season, with Coutinho hitting an 86th-minute winner in the opening game away at Stoke City, before Benteke's first-half strike at home against Bournemouth gave them back-to-back solitary goal victories.
The Belgian striker has proved an instant hit on Merseyside and he and Coutinho were Brendan Rodgers' brightest outlets at Arsenal on Monday, with Benteke going close and the attacking midfielder twice hitting the woodwork.
An excited Rodgers told reporters that he hopes they continue to hone their alliance against West Ham United this weekend.
The Northern Irishman insisted that "good players can play together" and the runs and the movement of the pair make them a lethal attacking duo.
He added that he is pleased for Benteke, after he was labelled just a "battering ram up front" when he first signed, but has since "shown quite clearly" that he is a "wonderful footballer" as well.
The manager stated that the coverage of the well-built striker "was a bit misguided" due to his size and his frame, but that he has a "wonderful touch for such a big player."
He hailed his "movement" and his runs in behind, describing him as "athletic" - which has helped he to bond with Coutinho, with Rodgers saying the connection between the two is "improving all the time."
Northern Irishman delighted for Coutinho after call-up
Coutinho was dealt good news prior to their encounter with the Hammers, with injuries to Chelsea duo Ramires and Oscar granting him a spot in Dunga's Brazil squad for friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States of America next month.
Rodgers added that the forward is a "very proud man" after being called up, despite initially being omitted from the 23-man squad. He added that there is no doubt that Coutinho "is a player who should be in that squad."
Whilst the Brazilian national team "have got other top class players" - Rodgers said the 23-year-old has a "big future" with his country, and he's not one to let his exclusion affect him.
Talking about Coutinho's focus at Liverpool, he said that he is concentrated on "doing the best he can" on Merseyside and hailed his maturity and progression since arriving nearly three years ago.
Rodgers pleased with impact of Liverpool summer signings
A large part of Liverpool's form in the early stages of the season has been the monumental start that their summer signings have made at Anfield.
With seven points from a possible nine already achieved, the likes of Benteke, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez have all made themselves key cogs in the machine under Rodgers and Roberto Firmino's full debut at Arsenal provided promising signs.
In the mind of the boss, the Reds' additions have shaped a team "that can cope with whatever the game throws at them."
He suggested that Liverpool can play football, which will only get better as the season grows, but says they also have "a certain element of steel" about them - which he outlined as important due to the "different ways to win a game."
Rodgers said that they have answered the questions asked of them, mentally, physically and tactically, insisting they won't "lose out for fight and steel and commitment" in certain games, adding that they have the quality to win tougher games - and so consistency is the goal to ensure they have a successful season.
Questioned individually about each one of their summer signings, he said Milner has been "absolutely exceptional" and is "proper man in terms of how tough he is" but also an "outstanding footballer" who has added crucial winning mentality and work ethic to the team.
On Clyne, who he described has been playing professionaly since the age of 17, has "got experience of the Premier League" - as has Benteke, who was at Aston Villa for three years and brought in "experience" as well as "real pedigree" and a "certain mentality" which strengthens them as a unit.
Rodgers said that it is a necessity at top-flight level, because "talent alone is not enough" and you need to have character to deal with expectancy at the club.
He said that Liverpool is a team "which throughout the world is iconic" and is always focused on each and every day, adding that players will be in the headlines whether they have been "good, bad or indifferent in games."