Xabi Alonso believes it is "only a matter of time" until Florian Wirtz gets into his stride for Liverpool.

Wirtz has struggled to find his form since joining Liverpool in a reported £109.6m (€125m) move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. 

The Germany international has not yet scored a competitive goal for the Reds, though he did provide two assists in last month's 5-1 Champions League rout of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Wirtz is in line for a reunion with his former coach Alonso when the Spaniard brings his Real Madrid team to Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The playmaker thrived under the Madrid coach at Leverkusen, providing a team-leading 79 goal involvements (38 goals, 41 assists) in 119 games across all competitions in Alonso's time in charge.

And Alonso feels Wirtz will soon live up to the billing for his new club.

"I have no doubts, it's just a matter of time," Alonso said.

"It's a big chance for him, coming to Liverpool after so many years in Germany, and being there his whole life.

"He needs to adapt, but he's a really special player.

"He's competitive. One of the reasons I am here is because of Flo. Hopefully not tomorrow, but I hope soon he'll show his quality and his class."