Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has the potential to "be anything he wants", according to boss Paul Lambert.
The 22-year-old Belgian was instrumental in Villa's 3-1 at Liverpool on Saturday, scoring two and setting up Andreas Weimann for another.
"I don't want too much pressure on him but he has the potential to be one of the best," said Lambert.
"The potential for someone as young as that is frightening. He can be anything he wants," Lambert told BBC WM."
"Not many push him off the ball. Whether it's Gabby Agbonlahor or Andi Weimann, everybody loves playing beside him. And he's a top lad as well."
Belgium forward Benteke, signed from Genk on transfer deadline day in August for a fee of around £7m, has still only scored five Premier League goals for Villa this season.
But Saturday's sublime backheel in front of the Kop to set up Weimann for Villa's second goal was perhaps the moment that made the football world wake up and realise what a big star the Midlands club have on their hands.
"That was a world-class goal," added Lambert. "The whole move, the backheel and Andi's finish was fantastic.
"The goals were outstanding, worthy of winning any game, especially the second.
"Not bad for a team that doesn't score many. I've always said we've got goals in us."
Villa, along with Stoke City and QPR, are still the top flight's lowest scorers, with just 15 goals in 17 games.
But no team in the bottom half has conceded fewer. And Lambert had particular praise for his young academy-schooled back three of Ciaran Clark, Eric Lichaj and Nathan Baker, whose stunning early tackle on Jonjo Shelvey probably influenced the outcome as much as anything Benteke did at the other end.
"The three young lads at the back were magic for me," added Lambert.
"They put their bodies on the line. It all bodes well both for them and the future of this club.
"You're not to going to come here and dominate a game right from the off, knowing the players Liverpool have got and the run they were on. You know you've got to defend really strongly and get a foothold in, which we did."
"I don't want too much pressure on him but he has the potential to be one of the best," said Lambert.
"The potential for someone as young as that is frightening. He can be anything he wants," Lambert told BBC WM."
"Not many push him off the ball. Whether it's Gabby Agbonlahor or Andi Weimann, everybody loves playing beside him. And he's a top lad as well."
Belgium forward Benteke, signed from Genk on transfer deadline day in August for a fee of around £7m, has still only scored five Premier League goals for Villa this season.
But Saturday's sublime backheel in front of the Kop to set up Weimann for Villa's second goal was perhaps the moment that made the football world wake up and realise what a big star the Midlands club have on their hands.
"That was a world-class goal," added Lambert. "The whole move, the backheel and Andi's finish was fantastic.
"The goals were outstanding, worthy of winning any game, especially the second.
"Not bad for a team that doesn't score many. I've always said we've got goals in us."
Villa, along with Stoke City and QPR, are still the top flight's lowest scorers, with just 15 goals in 17 games.
But no team in the bottom half has conceded fewer. And Lambert had particular praise for his young academy-schooled back three of Ciaran Clark, Eric Lichaj and Nathan Baker, whose stunning early tackle on Jonjo Shelvey probably influenced the outcome as much as anything Benteke did at the other end.
"The three young lads at the back were magic for me," added Lambert.
"They put their bodies on the line. It all bodes well both for them and the future of this club.
"You're not to going to come here and dominate a game right from the off, knowing the players Liverpool have got and the run they were on. You know you've got to defend really strongly and get a foothold in, which we did."
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