Former Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince is backing Thiago Alcantara for a big season ahead at Anfield.

Ince signed for Liverpool having spent two seasons in Italy playing with Inter and he believes that players who switch to English football take time to adjust to the intensity and pace of the division.

Ince told Paddy Power: “Liverpool will see a better Thiago next season, he's a world-class player. He was very good in the Champions League games, showing his experience and quality, and knows how to control games.

“It's difficult when you come from teams like Bayern Munich, where you beat teams by three or four goals weekly and you've got infinite time on the ball - it's different in England.

“The Premier League is high octane, more intense, and the opposition will stop him playing. He has not adjusted to the pace of the game yet. We know about his passing quality, and towards the end of the season you could see him adjusting.

“I know this from my experience of moving from the Premier League to Serie A. It was a completely different pace of football. It takes a while to get used to that pace and adjust."