Kop idol Kenny Dalglish has backed new signing Glen Johnson to succeed at Anfield.
The former Liverpool manager, who is back at the club as an ambassador, has hailed the arrival of the England full-back from Portsmouth and believes that his attacking approach to the game is best suited to the philosophy legendary Reds' boss Bill Shankly held during his time at the club.
"Attacking full-backs have always been important to the way Liverpool sides have played," the Scot said.
"Historically, even going back to the days of Shankly, we have always been a club who have put great faith in players in those positions having a certain comfort on the ball.
"Even in teams where there were out-and-out wingers, you could normally rely on the full-backs getting forward to join in with the attack.
Despite his £17 million price tag, Dalglish is confident that Johnson will make the grade under the guidance of Reds' manager Rafael Benitez and centre-back Jamie Carragher.
"I think Glen Johnson will prove to be an excellent acquisition over the course of his Anfield career. I also think that he can improve as a defender at Liverpool.
"He’s proven he can attack with the best of them, and he’s secured the position of first-choice full-back at international level under Fabio Capello, so he can defend," he continued.
"But working on things with Benitez and having a player of the experience of Carragher playing in the same back four will benefit him in the long run.
"Ultimately, the more threat you carry going forward, the better that will be for our prospects this season.
"He’s British, so there’s no cultural barrier to him settling down at Melwood, and he’ll know most of the boys having played with them for England or against them in the league and cups.”
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