Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has labelled his teammate Philippe Coutinho as the current best player in the Premier League.

The Brazilian midfielder continued his excellent form for the Reds this season with another great performance against Crystal Palace in their 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The 27-year-old says it is an honour for him to play alongside a player of Coutinho’s calibre, who has scored five goals in 11 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season.

‘In my opinion, he’s the best player in the league at the moment,’ Lovren told the Liverpool website.

‘I have the pleasure and the honour to play with this guy. He is playing for Brazil as well.’

Lovren says he was impressed by Coutinho’s performance against the Eagles and believes the Brazilian was the standout performer.

‘He wasn’t just outstanding against Palace, he’s been like that all year. His crosses were perfect. We scored from his set pieces,’ he added.

‘He is a main part of the team, but it’s not an individual thing that wins us points, it’s the teamwork.

‘It was the team that beat Palace, not just one player. But of course when a team works really good, then individual qualities come out. I think that man against Palace was Philippe Coutinho.’

Liverpool will next welcome Watford to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.

Kick-off has been set for 16:15.