Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has hailed the £18million arrival of Glen Johnson and insists the former Chelsea reject in now ready to assert himself amongst the big four.
Johnson collected a Barclays Premier League title medal at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho's stewardship yet the former Blues boss deemed the full-back not good enough for his squad and sent him swiftly packing to Portsmouth.
But after three successful seasons at Fratton Park, the 24-year-old recovered to establish his spot in Fabio Capello's England squad, earning his rightful place among the Champions League contenders ahead of next year's World Cup.
Despite the Spaniard's recent admission that he was forced to pay over the odds for the one-time West Ham star, Benitez is confident Johnson will prove to be a snip.
'We are really pleased because we've signed a really good player, an England international,' he told the club's official website at the player's unveiling today.
'It's very positive. He has quality and a very good mentality, and from the first time I spoke with him it was clear he wanted to come here.
'Chelsea were trying to win big trophies at the time he was there and they needed experience in order to win.
'Now it is a good moment because he is a much better player, he has the experience and the desire. He has quality, that's clear. He's more mature now.'
Johnson quickly underlined his ambition to help Liverpool celebrate their first league trophy since 1990 by eclipsing reigning champions Manchester United this season.
'We've got some fantastic players and I wanted to come here and help Liverpool win the league,' he said.
'We want to go as far as we can in every competition but all the lads want to win the Premier League and that would be a great start.
Johnson collected a Barclays Premier League title medal at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho's stewardship yet the former Blues boss deemed the full-back not good enough for his squad and sent him swiftly packing to Portsmouth.
But after three successful seasons at Fratton Park, the 24-year-old recovered to establish his spot in Fabio Capello's England squad, earning his rightful place among the Champions League contenders ahead of next year's World Cup.
Despite the Spaniard's recent admission that he was forced to pay over the odds for the one-time West Ham star, Benitez is confident Johnson will prove to be a snip.
'We are really pleased because we've signed a really good player, an England international,' he told the club's official website at the player's unveiling today.
'It's very positive. He has quality and a very good mentality, and from the first time I spoke with him it was clear he wanted to come here.
'Chelsea were trying to win big trophies at the time he was there and they needed experience in order to win.
'Now it is a good moment because he is a much better player, he has the experience and the desire. He has quality, that's clear. He's more mature now.'
Johnson quickly underlined his ambition to help Liverpool celebrate their first league trophy since 1990 by eclipsing reigning champions Manchester United this season.
'We've got some fantastic players and I wanted to come here and help Liverpool win the league,' he said.
'We want to go as far as we can in every competition but all the lads want to win the Premier League and that would be a great start.
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