The 51-year-old former defender regards his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate as the “best player he has seen in a long time” and thinks the 22-year-old attacking midfielder’s summer move to the Premier League side will help him take his game to the next level.

Jens told FourFourTwo magazine: “He is the best player I’ve seen in a long time. He’s grounded, he loves to play football and he wants to learn.

“I truly believe that he’s now at a club that can take his game to the next level.

“He can win the Ballon d’Or one day, and moving to Liverpool will help him on that journey.”

Jens believes Liverpool’s style of play under Arne Slot is well-suited to Florian.

He said: “Liverpool play a style that suits him – speedy transitions, pacy runners in behind, but also the ability to keep the ball, push high and look for gaps.

“The best players can adapt to systems and Arne Slot now has one of the most intelligent young players in all of world football.

“It may take time for Wirtz to find his best form, but it also depends on how quickly those around him adapt to his speed of thought.”