As the clocks turned to January 1st 2013, then-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers knew that he had a big month ahead of him.
The Reds were sitting ninth in the Premier League after an extremely inconsistent start under the Ulsterman, and despite some impressive performances offering hope for the future, the pressure was on Rodgers to start carving out results.
From this, he made two unexpected signings, in the form of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho. Whilst much of the media coverage fell upon Sturridge, questioning whether the young Englishman would be able to make an impact alongside Luis Suarez, Coutinho was able to bed in without much spotlight on him.
Coutinho arrived following some troublesome years
That wasn't much of a surprise really, considering the lowly sum of £8.5million forked out to Inter Milan by Liverpool, and the rather disappointing recent few years of his career.
Moving to Inter after a glittering youth career at Vasco da Gama in his native Brazil, Coutinho clearly failed to settle, only making 28 senior appearances during his five year spell at the gians, in vain of president Massimo Moratti hailing him as "the future of Inter" upon his arrival at the club.
The highlight of his contracted spell at Inter was certainly to be found in the 2011/12 season, a period in which he wasn't in Italy. Loaned out to La Liga side Espanyol, Coutinho showed some of the quality he'd displayed back in Brazil, scoring five goals in 16 appearances, but doubts still remained.
Much to prove, for the 20-year-old, who upon his arrival declared: "It is an important step for me in my career. Liverpool is a great club, I know they believe in me and my football."
They were right to do so, it soon transpired.
The 'Little Magician' lit up L4 straight away
Those two January signings acted as something of a catalyst for Liverpool's season. Coutinho bedded in at Anfield superbly, with Premier League defence's unable to contain him from the start.
Scoring on his full debut for the club, Coutinho took the ball from Suarez, running at defenders and then lashing into the goal during a 5-0 victory over Swansea City at Anfield, giving him lift off.
Following that up with two assists in the 4-0 away demolition of Wigan Athletic a week later, it was all becoming too easy for Coutinho.
Liverpool's top-four chase tailed off in following weeks thanks to some disjointed performances that had been rife throughout their season, but Coutinho again managed to score or assist in games against Aston Villa and Southampton.
The Brazilian saved his finest performances for the end of the season, as Rodgers' men went on an eight match unbeaten streak, winning three of their final four games.
Dismantling Newcastle United away from home by six goals to nil, Coutinho was on fire, running the show with two assists, whilst winning the free-kick which Jordan Henderson swept home for Liverpool's sixth.
Whilst the story of Daniel Sturridge is for another day, it is worth mentioning that the striker was making a similar impact himself, proving a much needed strike partner for Suarez.
The understanding between Sturridge and Coutinho was there for all to see, and it really sparked into life during late April of that year, as the former hit his first hat-trick for the Reds, Coutinho assisting two of the goals against Fulham. He'd go on to score the winning goal on the final day of the season a week later against Queens Park Rangers, capping a successful start to life on L4.
13/14 was a season of two halves
Whilst Liverpool's 2013/14 season is remembered for their title challenge, it was a season of two halves for the Brazilian.
Shunted out to left wing to satisfy Rodgers' want for a 4-3-3 formation, Coutinho waited until November to score his first goal of the season in the league, and took until December to get his first assist.
That barren run was sandwiched by a troublesome shoulder injury which saw him miss around six weeks of action. All of this did make some question whether or not Liverpool would see a repeat of what Inter Milan suffered, Coutinho showing early promise and then tailing off.
Due to this, it's a testament to the player, that he showed his obvious talent by bouncing back with a superb second half to the season.
As Liverpool went on that remarkable tilt at the title, Coutinho sparkled in matches where Rodgers' men cut through teams, sitting Mesut Ozil down before supplying Sturridge with an assist in the 5-1 victory over Arsenal, he was on the scoresheet in the devastating 4-0 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
This upturn in form coincided with a change of position, Rodgers' transition to a 4-1-2-1-2 narrow diamond formation allowing Coutinho to situate in either central midfield, to Henderson's left, or as the attacking midfielder.
His most memorable moment of the season was yet to come, undoubtedly being the winning goal against Manchester City. With the score tied at 2-2, Coutinho swept a beautiful shot into the corner to hand Liverpool a 3-2 win, putting them in pole position to claim the league title.
They wouldn't go on to do so, for infamous reasons, but Coutinho's goal against City had written his piece in Liverpool history, whilst he'd also rescued his season to finish with a respectable five goals and seven assists in 33 league games.
Coutinho is forced to become Liverpool's talisman
For one reason or another, Coutinho was forced to become Liverpool's talisman for the 14/15 season, one which was a step backwards for the club.
Failing to capitalise on the success of the previous season, Luis Suarez was sold and not replaced adequately, let alone well. Adding to that, Sturridge was struck down with injuries that would riddle him throughout the season.
Coutinho could only watch on as the Reds fell apart at the seams, a new-look defence marshalled by Dejan Lovren failing to impress, whilst Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli were unable to make any sort of impact up front.
They were out of the Champions League at the group stage, with Coutinho inexplicably benched for the deciding match against FC Basel, a selection which Brendan Rodgers admitted to regretting. It didn't look like they'd get a crack at it the following season either, as Liverpoool sat 10th, nine points from the top four at Christmas.
2015 proves to be the year of the wonder goal
In a season where Liverpool used a vast array of formations, Rodgers finally struck upon the right one at the start of 2015, as a daring 3-4-2-1 formation, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling playing in a front three with Coutinho, helped the Reds leap up the league table.
The Reds went on an unbeaten streak of 13 games in the league, winning 10 of those games, as Coutinho took on the mantle of matchwinner.
Setting up Sterling's winning goal with a marvellous assist against Burnley on Boxing Day, he'd set up both Sterling and Sturridge in a 2-0 win against West Ham United to add to that.
Whilst those assists were all well and good, it was Coutinho's eye for goal that was causing opposition fans to take notice. Although his scoring record wasn't poor, the Brazilian had often been criticised for not being able to separate games with his goals, a theory which he quickly put to bed.
Scoring three goals from outside the penalty area within one month, he grabbed a winning goal against Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup, before opening the scoring from a ridiculous distance against Southampton, and once again finding the net against Manchester City with a peach.
That winner against Bolton set Liverpool on course for a run in the FA Cup, and Coutinho would go on to score a winner in the quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers too.
Opening the scoring versus Tim Sherwood's Villa in the semi-final, it looked like he was going to send his side to Wembley, only for the B6 club to hit back in a performance inspired by Fabian Delph.
That, coupled with failure to end the season in the top four of the Premier League, saw the season end on a sour note for both Liverpool and Coutinho - who failed to score or assist in 10 of their final 11 Premier League games.
2015/16 started in a similar vein to the way the previous season had ended, as Coutinho rattled in a wonder goal on the opening day against Stoke City, but poor displays from the team in the first few months cost Rodgers, the man who had brought Coutinho to Liverpool, his job.
Things already looking up under Klopp, but what next?
The next man in from Rodgers, Jürgen Klopp has already shown signs that he can transform the club, and Coutinho's been a key part of the most impressive performances under the German.
Netting his first brace for the Reds in a 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Coutinho and his fellow countryman Roberto Firmino ran riot at the Etihad Stadium weeks later, in a 4-1 demolition of Manchester City.
It remains to be seen whether or not he'll be a mainstay under Klopp, with there always being the possibility that a new manager may sell off star players to raise funds for his own team, but given the fans love for Coutinho, it seems unlikely in this case.
The Little Magician's passing, vision, skill, dribbling and shooting have seen him become a fan favourite on L4, and despite the fact those Barcelona rumours won't go away, nothing will take away from his first three years being a glittering success.