Maxi Rodríguez Joins Liverpool

Maxi Rodriguez has joined Liverpool on a three and half year deal.

The Argentine has been bought on a free transfer as his contract at Atletico Madrid was due to expire at the end of the season.

He will wear the number 17 jersey at Anfield.

Rafa Benitez was delighted with his new signing and said that the team was looking for "players with character and a good mentality".

He then went on to praise the versatility of the Argentine winger saying that "He can play in three positions on the right, left and as a second striker".

Rafa added further that "He is comfortable on the ball, can pass and keep possession. He is good at getting into the box and scoring goals and a good finisher".

Maxi' goal scoring ability is also well known and his most famous strike came at the 2006 World Cup when he scored against Mexico in extra time.

Rodriguez who had been an integral part of the Atletico Madrid squad for the past five seasons was not getting much first team action this year.

So the move to Anfield should provide him a valuabe opportunity to stake a claim for the Argentine World Cup squad.

Rodriguez already knows some of his team-mates at Merseyside very well having playing with Javier Mascherano for Argentina and with Fernando Torres at Atletico.

His signing will only increase the rumors of Ryan Babel leaving the club as the Dutchman is supposedly unsettled at Liverpool.