Liverpool have confirmed that Glen Johnson has joined them today from Portsmouth, in a deal reportedly worth £18.5 million, though there has apparently been some negotiation around the fee due to Pompey still owing the Merseysiders money from the deal that took Peter Crouch to the South Coast.
Johnson has signed a four-year deal at Anfield.
Reds manager Rafa Benitez was clearly pleased with the signing, telling the club's official website, "He was important at Chelsea and in the last year at Portsmouth he has improved and is much better. One of the main things is his mentality - it's really good. He is a winner. I was impressed with the conversations I had with him. He wants to improve."
As for the reasons he was brought to Anfield, Benitez chose to highlight not only the player's obvious quality, but also the fact the he is English, which is important with new rules concerning foreign players on the immediate horizon.
"We were thinking about bringing in players with quality - that's the first thing," he added.
"He is also English and that is important for the Champions League list. We were thinking about improving the team and Johnson is a very good player who will do that.
"We knew the market was going to be difficult this summer and some of it has been crazy. Manchester City and Chelsea were there - they were making offers.
"We had to be quick and the club acted quickly. It was down to the player whether he chose us or City or Chelsea and he chose us. It was very clear from talking to him that he wanted to play for Liverpool."
The manager also did not rule out further acquisitions for the Mersey men, though he took a typically cautious line when he explained, "We are working and trying to bring new players in but we are happy with the squad we have at the moment.
"We were thinking about improving and with Johnson we have improved. Like I have already said, we could buy one more player without selling anyone. We now have to wait.
Johnson has signed a four-year deal at Anfield.
Reds manager Rafa Benitez was clearly pleased with the signing, telling the club's official website, "He was important at Chelsea and in the last year at Portsmouth he has improved and is much better. One of the main things is his mentality - it's really good. He is a winner. I was impressed with the conversations I had with him. He wants to improve."
As for the reasons he was brought to Anfield, Benitez chose to highlight not only the player's obvious quality, but also the fact the he is English, which is important with new rules concerning foreign players on the immediate horizon.
"We were thinking about bringing in players with quality - that's the first thing," he added.
"He is also English and that is important for the Champions League list. We were thinking about improving the team and Johnson is a very good player who will do that.
"We knew the market was going to be difficult this summer and some of it has been crazy. Manchester City and Chelsea were there - they were making offers.
"We had to be quick and the club acted quickly. It was down to the player whether he chose us or City or Chelsea and he chose us. It was very clear from talking to him that he wanted to play for Liverpool."
The manager also did not rule out further acquisitions for the Mersey men, though he took a typically cautious line when he explained, "We are working and trying to bring new players in but we are happy with the squad we have at the moment.
"We were thinking about improving and with Johnson we have improved. Like I have already said, we could buy one more player without selling anyone. We now have to wait.
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