KLOPP: BEN IS TOP DRAWER
Calvin Bassey to Ajax, snapping up the former Preston centre-back who was heavily linked with Celtic last summer before sealing a move to Anfield.
But despite failing to break into Klopp’s first team, the Liverpool boss is adamant Rangers have landed a top quality addition to their ranks.
Davies and Bayern Munich loan signing Malik Tillman weren’t involved in last night’s friendly win with West Ham at Ibrox – unlike fellow new Blues Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo, who impressed after being introduced at half-time.
But Davies and Tillamn made their bow before kick-off and Klopp predicts the player he has just allowed to leave will be a smash hit with Rangers.
He said: “It’s a super move. Positive outcome.
“Rangers is a fantastic club, a big club.
“Ben belongs on a big stage for sure. European football as well.
“This presents him with a proper opportunity to demonstrate his quality and composure.
“As a person he’s as good a guy as you could hope to meet.
“It’s a smart piece of recruitment from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, to be honest. Perfect for all parties. He has himself an accomplished defender, who is entering his peak years and whose character is top drawer.
“We wish Ben nothing but the success he deserves and will be following from here as he goes on to make many achievements during the rest of his career.”
Davies believes the move will see him turn a good career into a great one. The Englishman said: “It’s brilliant to be here. I spoke to the manager and his ideas suit mine.
“Everybody said to me I wouldn’t realise the size of the club until I got here, and I’ve just had a tour and it’s incredible.
“I am just about to turn 27 and I think I am coming to a club where I can turn a good career into a great career. I’ve got the best years in front of me now.
“All my career I’ve wanted to take different
opportunities. When I was younger I would go out on loan and would go out of my comfort zone, so that is going to help me going forward.
“This will be the best place possible for me.”
Asked what he can bring to the side, Davies told Rangers TV: “Hopefully I will be consistent. I like to play football and pass the ball and try to be composed and calm, rather than just clearing it long.
“I’ve got two weeks before the season starts and that’s more than enough time to settle in. Everyone has made me feel really welcome.”
Van Bronckhorst was delighted to land the 26-year-old left-sided centre-back, who has signed a four-year deal.
The Rangers boss said: “I’m very pleased. Ben is a very experienced player and we identified him to come to Rangers because of the quality he has.
“He is a left-footed defender, which is very difficult to find.
“He is a quality defender who is also comfortable on the ball, so I am really happy he is joining us from now on.”
On last night’s 3-1 triumph over West Ham, van Bronckhorst said: “It was very positive. We were playing against a Premier League side who finished seventh and almost reached the final of the Europa League.
“It was a good test for us and I can take a lot of positives from tonight.
“The way we played was very good, very controlled, and we scored some excellent goals.
“The new signings have come in the last 10 days. We lost some players from last year so I’m really happy that we could get new players in early and the team welcomes every new face who comes in.”