Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged manager Brendan Rodgers to keep Philippe Coutinho in a central position this season.

The Brazilian playmaker scored the winning goal as the Reds opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Stoke City last Sunday.

Rodgers has the likes of Emre Can, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino available to him in midfield, but Carragher has warned that Coutinho's influence could wane if he is fielded in a wide position.

Carragher told The Liverpool Way: "I think Liverpool have a slight problem in the coming weeks and months.

"If you play a holding midfielder behind Milner and Henderson, then that's your midfield three and unless you play a diamond formation, then Coutinho is going to end up in a wide role in a 4-3-3.

"He got the winner at Blackburn in the FA Cup last season, but I was at the game at Ewood Park and he was actually playing wide right, and it just didn't look right. He doesn't feel comfortable there and I just feel he has to play in a central role."

Liverpool continue their domestic campaign with a visit from Bournemouth on Monday.