[Dan]

Good, £32m is a hell of a lot for a player off the back of a tournament... Rather spend that on a couple of players rather than one..

New signing Andrea Dossena claims Liverpool have signed an Italian defender with an English heart.
The 27-year-old left-back hopes a combination of determination and quality on the ball will make his transition from Serie A to the Premier League an easy one.

He admits training at Melwood is faster than what he is used to but insists his 'half-English, half Italian' style will see him through.

In his first interview since arriving from Udinese, Dossena told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Even from training I realise English football is different.

"It's all about possession and the ball seems to move quicker. There is also a great determination among the players in training, but these are all qualities that are characteristic of me too. In this way, I feel half English, half Italian."

Dossena is seen as a direct replacement for the outgoing John Arne Riise, who travelled in the opposite direction after signing for Roma.

Rafa Benitez has already revealed how both the left-back and fellow new boy Philipp Degen are ready to go straight into the first team – words that are music to the ears of a man desperate to pull on a red jersey for the first time.

"It is an honour to be wearing such a prestigious shirt.," said Dossena. "It was great for me that Liverpool were so determined to have me in their squad. It is a very important shirt to wear and I will do my best. I have a great will to work hard and succeed and achieve great results.

"Of course I'll feel very strong emotions when I wear the shirt at Anfield for the first time but after the first few seconds these will be replaced by a focus on what I am doing.

"There are so many great players here and I hope to be playing beside them as soon as possible.

"I believe I will bring determination as my main strength. I have a will to succeed and achieve results. These are also characteristics I have seen in Liverpool as a team."

Dossena arrived on Merseyside a week ago before training with his teammates for the first time.

His new boss is one of very few Italian speakers at the club, but the defender claims his broken English is getting him by with the likes of Jamie Carragher.

"I have been able to talk to my teammates but of course I have had to talk a little slower and maybe they have too, so they understand me better," he said.

"I have been very impressed with the facilities and also with the very good atmosphere in the dressing room.

"The talks I have had with Benitez have mostly been about tactics. He has explained that he wants a four-man defence but that the most important thing is that the balance on the pitch is never broken. There must be balance between the left and right-backs."

Dossena arrived at Anfield with a single cap to his name, making him the first Italian international to play for the Reds.

It's a fact he's immensely proud of – and he believes playing for one of the biggest teams in Europe can only aid his international ambitions.

"The Premier League is followed and it will be up to the national manager to watch the players abroad," he said. "I am aware, though, that I am at the most prestigious team in England. There are other players who play abroad who are getting caps, like Luca Toni."

Philipp Degen has revealed he's been getting the lowdown on Scousers from an unlikely source – former Kop idol Didi Hamann.
The right-back got to know Hamann through his agent in the summer and has since gleaned advice on the locals and where he should live in the city.

In his first interview in English football with Liverpoolfc.tv, Degen said: "Didi and his wife gave me a very good report on Liverpool. They were here for seven years and they told me that the people were really good, open and friendly. They said I'd settle in very quickly.

"They've been telling me about the Albert Dock. I have been there but am looking at three or four places to live. The club helps with that kind of thing.

"I also know Stephane Henchoz from the international team but I haven't spoken to him about his time at Liverpool.

"But my first impressions of the city have been great from the start. I am very happy here. Now I am looking forward to success on the football pitch."

Much has been made of Liverpool improving the wide areas this summer to add to a spine which many consider one of the best in Europe.

The challenge of rising up the assist charts is not one that Degen shies away from, however.

Asked what he can add to the squad, he replied: "I have got pace, technical ability and like to think I'm strong going forward. I have to say that I've also already learnt a lot here from Rafa Benitez about how I can develop my game.

"Obviously it's true that I've been brought here as an attacking full-back. Part of my game is to create chances and I'm fully committed to doing this and giving my all to the club.

"I am going to do everything I can for this club and the fans. Hopefully I can help bring them some success this season."

Degen, who has 30 international caps to his name, began training with his new teammates a week ago, including two of those potentially vying for his position: Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan.

Another right-back, Alvaro Arbeloa, has yet to return to Melwood after Spain's Euro 2008 triumph but Degen is in no doubt about the challenge he faces to nail down a regular first-team slot.

"I've come from playing in Germany so I know about competition for places but I have to look forward to that challenge," said the 25-year-old.

"In comparison to Borussia Dortmund the competition is stronger because maybe there were only two players who could play in a position. But I've not come here to sit on the bench. I'll do everything I can in training to get my place in the team.

"People in the Bundesliga look up to the Premier League, with its speed, aggressiveness and hard tackling. It's a faster game. Every player sees the Premier League as the top league.

"I've only been here a week but I can already see that there is a lot more training with the ball, whereas in Germany it is run, run, run. It's a faster approach here."

Degen may be settling into a new life in a foreign country, but that's not to say everything is new to him.

In fact, he has already experienced the famous Anfield atmosphere on a European night having travelled with the Basel squad which drew 1-1 in the 2002-03 Champions League.

The Swiss defender added: "It's great to be here. This is a great club with great fans. One of the main things for me is being at a club that is always challenging in the league and other competitions.

"I didn't have to think twice about coming here. I played here five years ago with Basel and realised Liverpool were a great club with fantastic fans and a brilliant atmosphere in the stadium.

"I follow the Champions League and you see Liverpool in semi-finals and finals. This has made a big impression on me but it's also about the team, the whole club and the challenge of playing for Liverpool."