Benitez defends costly Johnson capture

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to pay over the odds for right-back Glen Johnson, even though he admitted the deal has cost him more than he had hoped.

The Portsmouth defender agreed to move to Anfield on Monday and is expected to formally sign a contract in the next couple of days.

Reports suggest the transfer is costing £17million (€20m), although much of that will be written off because of money still owed by Pompey after Peter Crouch’s move to Fratton Park last summer.