Jamie Carragher said Roberto Firmino's man-of-the-match performance in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Bournemouth was an encouraging sign of the Brazilian's ability.
The former Hoffenheim forward was instrumental for the hosts at Anfield, earning Jurgen Klopp his first win as Liverpool manager at the fourth attempt.
And Carragher says Firmino, who signed for an initial £21.3m in the summer, showed glimpses of the class he possesses on Wednesday night.
He said on Sky Sports: "You're not expecting new players into this league to be absolute superstars, but for him that was a sign tonight that there is a player there.
"We haven't seen much evidence of it this season, but it gives us something over the next few weeks.
"We still want him to improve, want him to do it in big games against better opposition. But tonight was a start for him.
"He was the standout player on the pitch. Everything came through him."
With Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana vying with Firmino for the attacking midfield positions at Liverpool, the 24-year-old's performances have provided Klopp with a welcome headache.
Carragher believes that Firmino's past in the Bundesliga, where he scored 49 goals in four-and-a-half seasons with Hoffenheim, stands him in good stead.
The former Liverpool defender said: "Tonight we've seen him in that attacking midfield role, central. The problem is Liverpool have got other players who also want to play there.
"That's going to be the thing for Jurgen Klopp, how is he going to fit maybe two of those three players in?
"But Firmino got the shirt tonight in that role, and showed glimpses of what he's about, some class touches.
"He's played in the Bundesliga and Jurgen Klopp knows what he can do, and that's going to be a massive help for him."