Carlos Baleba has been told he can be one of the best in Europe – after Albion picked their moment to give him a full Premier League debut.

The powerful young midfielder signed from Lille impressed in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

He looked out on his feet at the end of a pulsating contest in which Simon Adingra scored before, and Lewis Dunk after, a Mo Salah double.

Now Roberto De Zerbi expects Baleba to make more progress.

The Albion head coach said: “I gave him the right steps, I think.

“He played a good part of the game against Bournemouth, then he played 60 or 70 minutes at Stamford Bridge, away in a big stadium.

“And then I gave him the right time, I think, to understand the new style of play.

“To understand the timing of when he needs to receive the ball, the right pass, our style, our idea.

“It is not so easy because the style is a lot of things.

“In defensive space, we can change depending on the opponents.

“In ball possession, we can play in different ways.

“He is very young, he is a very good player.

“He has incredible potential.

“He can become one of the most important midfielders in Europe in the future.”