Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has described Kevin de Bruyne as a world class player and labelled him the third best player in the world behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Belgian international scored and assisted a goal in Manchester city first game of the season against wolves.

“I would say De Bruyne, when we talk about the best players in the world now, I would put him top of the second band of players behind Messi and Ronaldo,” Carragher said during an appearance on Sky Sports.

“I would put him top of that list, if you said to me who would I want in my team – it would be Kevin de Bruyne.

“The numbers he gets with assists and goals, he’s a manager’s dream.

“He can play in the [no] 10 position, right of a three, and Roberto Martinez plays him central midfield for Belgium.

“I think he’s had great longevity in his career because I still think he’ll have the ability to play that deep role, maybe when his legs go a little bit because he’s got a great engine.

“But his passing ability is as good as anything we’ve ever seen in the Premier League. And he can play that role when he’s in his mid-thirties not a problem.”

De Bruyne won the man of the match in Manchester city’s 3-1 victory over wolves and Man City are the first team in the Premier League era to win 10 consecutive opening games of the season.