Litmanen can become Anfield legend - Beardsley

Peter Beardsley reckons the arrival of Jari Litmanen at Anfield will prove to be a master stroke.

Boss Gerard Houllier brought the former Ajax and Barcelona striker in on a free transfer at the start of the month.

And the former Liverpool star believes the Finnish international's skills compare favourably with the legends of the Reds' illustrious past.

Beardsley said: "He is probably the best foreign player I have ever seen.

"It is a bonus that Gerard Houllier managed to get him on a free transfer.

"In my opinion if Liverpool had paid £10million for him it would not have been a waste of money."

Beardsley believes the 29-year-old, who starred despite not scoring in Liverpool's 5-0 Worthington Cup thrashing of Crystal Palace, will provide the perfect foil for whichever top striker Houllier selects to play alongside him.

Beardsley added: "He's got so much ability and such a football brain. It's his ability to pick a pass out, to lay off for the strikers, he's the one that can make the difference.

"I am sure he will go on to be as successful in the Premiership as Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal or Gianfranco Zola at Chelsea - I think next season he will be handed the number seven shirt and that he will be eventually compared to Dalglish."

Emile Heskey has often been forced to lead the Liverpool line on his own this season as Robbie Fowler struggled to regain his goalscoring form after injury and Michael Owen suffered a spectacular loss of form.

But the influence of Litmanen is likely to be such that he cannot fail to give his beleaguered team-mates a shot in the arm.

"He will be a magnificent help to the three strikers and he will bring them all on," Beardsley added.

"Michael's a bit short on confidence at the moment, but people put him under so much pressure and they seem to forget he's only 21 and he's on his first downer.

"Jari will help, he will bring more consistency and provide so many chances for the strikers to put away.

"The players are all delighted to have him at Liverpool - people have bought foreign players before and they have been accused of just coming for the money, but there is no danger of that happening with Jari.

"Next season he should make a big difference and help Liverpool close the gap on Manchester United."