Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has described teammate Roberto Firmino as one of his "favourite" players, insisting that the team are trying to cope without Philippe Coutinho.

The Reds will not be able to call upon the Brazilian playmaker until the New Year due to an ankle injury, and his absence was felt in games against Bournemouth and West Ham United.

On Wednesday night, though, Lallana shone as he scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough, and the England international has credited Firmino for making life easier for him on the pitch.

"Any team is going to miss Philippe - he is one of the best players in the world," Lallana told the club's official website. "He is working hard at Melwood to get back as soon as he can to help the team, but Firmino - one of my favourite players - was brilliant, putting the team first and sacrificing things that he likes to do when he plays in another position. The team comes first all the time. I thought he was brilliant again.

"The manager wants fluidity throughout the team. When you've got [Sadio] Mane and [Georginio] Wijnaldum making selfless runs... Firmino, Divock, [Jordan] Henderson and myself - it is very fluid. We're still learning and we're learning to play without Philippe. But the sooner we can have him back, the better."

Jurgen Klopp's men currently sit second in the Premier League table.