Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has lauded the performance of captain Lorik Cana in the 1-0 win over Liverpool on the weekend.

The Albania international produced a brilliant performance in midfield before moving to centre-back and Bruce was full of praise for his skipper who joined the club in July from Marseille.

"God, he was immense today. His second half performance was arguably, individually, as good as I've seen in a top, top game and I've seen some good ones. Single handedly he was terrific," said Bruce.

"I saw Lorik play against Liverpool twice for Marseille. I knew he was captain of his country and you don't captain Marseille and a club like that if you don't have something about you. He was a cult hero down there.

"I couldn't believe they were making him available because of what he was in that part of the world. And it was possibly the easiest transfer we made as well. I couldn't believe how easy it was. We agreed the fee in 24 hours, he came and signed that night. He didn't want time to think about it.

"I went down the line that people in England will love the way you'll play. You maybe wouldn't be appreciated in France or Spain, but the English will love you."