Agger desperate for Poulsen to join him at Anfield

Christian Poulsen looks set to join Liverpool from Juventus (Getty Images)

Liverpool centre-back Daniel Agger believes international team-mate Christian Poulsen will be "a perfect addition" to Roy Hodgson's squad.

The Denmark defender is looking forward to welcoming the midfielder to the club as the 30-year-old edges nearer completing a move from Juventus.

Poulsen has been given permission to withdraw from Denmark's friendly against Germany and is believed to have been offered a three-year contract by Reds boss Hodgson, who first signed the player for FC Copenhagen in 2000.

"Christian would be a perfect addition to most of the big clubs in Europe, so he will certainly fit in here," said Agger.

"He is a top player and will make us stronger. We need to have big signings so we can compete and he is one of those players.

"Christian will improve the team. But we need more improvements if we want to be at the top of the league this season."

Agger, who has recovered from the back injury which kept him out of last week's Europa League victory over Rabotnicki, accepts Poulsen will need time to adapt to the speed of the Barclays Premier League after several years in Serie A.

However, he feels his compatriot will be the ideal replacement for Javier Mascherano, whose days at Anfield are numbered after he asked Hodgson for a transfer.

"Maybe he will find the pace of here a bit of a culture shock; he will have to get used to the extra high tempo," Agger told the Liverpool Echo.

"He has played in Italy, Spain and Germany and done very well, so I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be a success with Liverpool.

"We have Mascherano but it looks like he is leaving so there is a gap there."