Source: Team_Talk
Poulsen: I have plenty to prove
ew Liverpool midfielder Christian Poulsen says he has plenty to prove after his move from Juventus despite being an experienced international.[LNB] The 30-year-old has won 77 caps for Denmark and has been a mainstay in Europe's top leagues for the last eight years, having featured for Schalke in the Bundesliga, Sevilla in La Liga before moving on to Italy's Serie A with his former employers.[LNB]He has even played under Reds boss Roy Hodgson before, when the Englishman signed him prior to FC Copenhagen's title-winning season of 2000/1.[LNB]However, that does not mean the combative midfielder will rest on his laurels - especially as some fans will need some convincing he can plug the gap expected to be left by wantaway Argentina captain Javier Mascherano.[LNB]"With this move here I have a lot to prove," said the veteran of two World Cups, who has signed a three-year contract after joining for an initial fee of £4.5million with another £1million payable on certain conditions.[LNB]"If you come to a club like Liverpool, you have to deliver.[LNB]"I will hopefully show I can be a good player for Liverpool."[LNB]Poulsen is eager to rekindle his good working relationship with Hodgson, having previously enjoyed success under the Englishman - albeit it in the slightly lower-profile Danish Superliga.[LNB]"I had two good years with him so I hope to carry that on, and hopefully he'll be satisfied with my qualities," said Denmark's player of the year in 2006 and 2007.[LNB]"He's a manager who's been all over the world and has a lot of experience, so of course I have a lot of respect for him.[LNB]"Roy didn't have to say that much because Liverpool is known all around the world, and for people in Denmark, Liverpool are the biggest club in England."[LNB]Poulsen trained with his new team-mates soon after completing his move but Sunday's Barclays Premier League opener at home to Arsenal may come too soon for him.[LNB]Hodgson has previously suggested should Mascherano still be at the club - and no suitable bids have been received - by this weekend then he would be in contention to face the Gunners.[LNB]That may mean Poulsen has to wait for his debut, although he stressed that despite returning to training late because of World Cup involvement he is ready when called upon.[LNB]"I started a little bit later because of the World Cup but I've done pre-season with Juventus," he said.[LNB]"I didn't play the last matches in the Europa League because of the move to this club.[LNB]"I am feeling fit but of course it's a decision for the manager and the staff."[LNB]Poulsen has earned something of an abrasive reputation but he insists there is more to his game than just being a midfield destroyer.[LNB]"I like also to play technical football. I see myself as a player who tries to play football but I can also make a tackle," he explained.[LNB]Hodgson is still hoping to bolster his squad further but claims a fee had been agreed for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones, for whom Liverpool had a £2million bid turned down last week, have been dismissed by the Teessiders.[LNB]
