Dirk Kuyt says he hopes the signing of England international right-back Glen Johnson will help Liverpool make the last push up the table they need to secure the Premier League next season.

Kuyt thinks highly of the new £17.5million summer capture from Portsmouth and believes the fact that Johnson has already proven himself in the Premier League and at international country will stand the team in good stead this coming campaign.

Speaking from Liverpool’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland, the Dutch winger told press, “Last season we played very well. Unfortunately, we didn’t win any trophies, but if we can keep the team together then the fact we have added Glen Johnson means hopefully we can go one step higher.

“Glen has shown already that he is a very good player in the Premier League and the England team.”

Johnson made his Reds debut as a second half subsitute during Liverpool’s goalless draw with St. Gallen on Wednesday night. [Match Report]