Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says he hopes Glen Johnson’s £17.5million price tag was justified tonight when the Reds defender had an impressive display in the 4-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield.
On his home debut for his new club, Johnson played a fantastic game down the right side, getting forward and playing an instrumental part in the victory.
Just a minute before half-time, Johnson acrobatically rose to double Liverpool’s lead after Fernando Torres had earlier given them the lead.
And after Dirk Kuyt’s second half third for Liverpool, it was Johnson’s cross that resulted in David Ngog adding the icing on the cake with a fourth in front of the Kop.
And after the game, Benitez was unsurprisingly happy with his new signing’s display.
“I think we were looking for a player with quality going forward,” he said. “He created a lot of chances, was a threat and also scored a goal. Our idea was to improve and have more quality in the wide areas and he showed that tonight.”
Benitez also had words of praise for another home debutant, 18-year-old Daniel Ayala, who came into the team in place of the injured Martin Skrtel.
The gaffer continued, “Ayala is young and it was more or less his first official game. He was a little bit nervous but in the end he was very good. He has to work, have more games and experience.”
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