Johnson completes Liverpool move
 Defender Johnson has become an England regular |
England right-back Glen Johnson has signed a four-year deal with Liverpool after completing a reported £17.5m move from Portsmouth.
The 24-year-old becomes manager Rafael Benitez's first summer signing after the Reds boss beat off competition from Chelsea and Manchester City.
Benitez said: "Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more.
"You can't compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money."
It is understood Pompey still owe Liverpool £7m from the deal that saw them buy striker Peter Crouch last summer, and that is believed to have helped finance Johnson's transfer.
Johnson had limited first-team chances at Chelsea in his spell there, but established himself in the England team after his move to Portsmouth in 2007.
Portsmouth paid £4m for Johnson, who emerged as Benitez's prime target after having an outstanding season at Fratton Park last season.
"It was down to the player whether he chose us or City or Chelsea and he chose us," Benitez told the Liverpool website. "It was very clear from talking to him that he wanted to play for Liverpool.
"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."
Johnson signed a new four-year deal at Portsmouth in January, but club officials accepted they could not stand in his way if he was offered the opportunity to move to a club playing in the Champions League.
"We were thinking about bringing in players with quality - that's the first thing," added Benitez.
 | We could buy one more player without selling anyone. We now have to wait Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez |
"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."
Johnson's arrival could now signal the departure of Spanish right-back Alvaro Arbeloa, with Real Madrid being linked with an £8m bid for the 26-year-old.
"Arbeloa was a good player for us last year," said Benitez.
"The thing is, he has one year left on his contract. We have offered him an extension and we're talking.
"He is our player but if there is a good offer we have to consider it. We have two or three clubs asking about him. He would like to stay but he knows the competition will be hard."
He added: "We could buy one more player without selling anyone. We now have to wait."
Italian left-back Andrea Dossena could also leave Anfield, while Reds midfielder Sebastien Leto is on the verge of a move to Greek side Panathinaikos.
The Argentine, who joined Liverpool from Lanus for around £2m in 2007, was on loan at Olympiacos last season, but he has grown impatient waiting for them to make their move.
"I think that the possibilities to play at Panathinaikos next season right now are more than 90%," said the winger.
"I have been waiting for something from Olympiacos all these weeks but they didn't make a move to buy me so far."
