West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is full of praise for Liverpool's underfire playmaker Thiago Alcantara.

The Reds put aside poor recent form to beat the Hammers 3-1 on January 31, and midfielder Rice was left suitably impressed by the former Bayern Munich star.

“When I played against Thiago the other day for Liverpool, obviously he is a holding midfielder, it was a big lesson," the England international told BBC Radio Five Live.

"He ran the game.

"The ball was like on a string. It was like he dictated the tempo of the game and he has been there and done it."