West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has compared Dimitri Payet to David Silva, saying his "special" playmaker will have a crucial role in beating Norwich on 26 September.

"He has started really well," said Bilic. "That is why we got him. He is the kind of player that most Premier League clubs and most clubs in Europe are trying to get or are getting them. Whether that is Silva or Payet or other players. He is a special player," he said.

"He was special at Olympique Marseille. He was their playmaker, not deep in their half but in front of their goal which is most difficult position to play in football. I am glad we have got him at West Ham. We are going to do everything to protect him but also give him the responsibility to continue like this or be even better," he added.

Alex Neil's Norwich are excellent away from home and deserved a 1-1 draw at Anfield on 20 September. Bilic reckons Payet can help break down their "very organised" defence.

"They are a really good team – they have started really well," he said. "They are full of confidence. They know what to do to be tough to be beaten. They defend as a unit. They are very solid. They are not a spectacular team but they have everything."

"They have pace, strength, size, discipline. In their last game at Anfield maybe Liverpool had one or two chances to score but basically you can't hurt them with just predictable passes. You have to do something special to break that very organised defence," he added.

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