LONDON, Jan 13 - Liverpool completed the signing
of Argentine forward Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid on a
three-and-half-year contract, the Premier League club said on
Wednesday.
The deal is now subject to him gaining international
clearance but he was at Anfield on Wednesday to watch
Liverpool's FA Cup third-round replay against Reading.
Rodriguez, 29, will link up with his former Atletico team
mate Fernando Torres in the Liverpool attack. He also joins
fellow Argentine international Javier Mascherano.
"We were looking for players with character and a good
mentality," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez told the club's
website (www.liverpooltv.com). "He has played for Argentina and
Atletico Madrid and is a player with personality.
"He can play in three positions -- on the right, left or as
a second striker -- and is someone with a very positive
mentality, which is what we are looking for."
Liverpool have had a disappointing season, lying seventh in
the Premier League table and failing to reach the Champions
League knockout stages.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)