Marco Silva has hailed Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno as ‘extraordinary’ ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool.

The German international, signed from Arsenal in the summer for a scarcely believable initial fee of £3m, has been a key part of the Whites’ wonderful return to the top flight. Silva saluted his number one’s superb display against defending champions Manchester City where he made a string of high-quality saves to keep the hosts in what became a very tight contest at Craven Cottage.

“Extraordinary. A top, top goalkeeper and, I keep repeating, in my opinion he’s one of the best three goalkeepers in this competition.

He is showing his quality every single game – games when he has more work to do, with the other team creating dangerous moments around our box, he is always there, and when you have the game under control and then a chance appears for the opposition, he is there as well.

He’s been brilliant and the most important thing in a goalkeeper is being really consistent, and from the first match he played, against Brentford at home to now he’s been for sure one of the most consistent goalkeepers this season in the Premier League.”