Liverpool strengthen defence with Davies signing

PREMIER League champions Liverpool have bolstered their injury-hit defence with the signing of Ben Davies from Championship club Preston North End.

The Reds have had crisis in their central defence all season, with Virgil van Dijk a long-term absence, while Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have had long periods out of action too.

“Liverpool have completed the signing of Ben Davies from Preston North End on a long-term contract,” the club announced on their official website on transfer deadline day Monday night.  

“The 25-year-old centre-back has put pen to paper on a deal with the Reds on deadline day to tie up his transfer from the Championship club and bolster Jürgen Klopp’s defensive ranks.”

Davies was happy to make the jump from second-tier football to the elite league, as he told Liverpoolfc.com during his first interview at Anfield.

 “I’m obviously delighted to be here,” he said. “It’s a huge opportunity. Obviously it came as a bit of a surprise when it first came but once you start to get your head around it, the opportunity that is in front of me is incredible. I’d be silly to not make the most of it and learn off the players [at the club].

“I’ve never actually been to Anfield and I haven’t had a look around yet. I had a quick look out and had a look at the pitch and it looks like carpet, which obviously you’d expect.

“I haven’t actually walked out of the tunnel yet, so I’m looking forward to that. Just to be in this kind of atmosphere is brilliant.”

Liverpool have had to play midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson as emergency central defenders in several important matches this season.