Benitez welcomes Kyrgiakos

Rafael Benitez will unveil his new giant Greek signing today and hopes that it solves a massive problem for Liverpool.

Greece international Sotirios Kyrgiakos successfully completed his Liverpool medical yesterday and has joined the club on a two-year contract.

The 30-year-old will go straight into the squad for Monday’s Barclays Premier League home clash against Aston Villa at Anfield.

He is likely to partner Jamie Carragher in the heart of the Reds’ defence, taking the place of teenager Daniel Ayala, who made his full debut in Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Stoke.

Benitez has been searching for defensive cover for weeks, having looked at the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Michael Turner. He was also linked this week with West Ham’s Matthew Upson.

But Liverpool’s owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are believed to have put the block on any further major signings, meaning that Benitez has had to search for the cheaper options.

Now he has snapped up the AEK Athens stopper for £2m. Kyrgiakos, at 6ft 5in and with a striking similarity to Sebastien Chabal, the French rugby giant formerly with Sale, will certainly bring presence at Anfield.

Benitez said: “He is a tough defender who is strong and good in the air. He has a strong character and we were looking for these things.

“He can score goals and will be a threat from corners and free-kicks. He is very strong in defence, but he will need time as always to settle into the Premier League. He will be a very good signing for us.

“We knew the player when he was with Rangers and we have been watching videos of him at Frankfurt and in the national team.

“We have talked about the things he has done before, and the things he will have to do for us. It was good. He knows what we want and he’s ready to work.”

Kyrgiakos’ arrival will alleviate Benitez’s injury problems in defence, with Agger due to have a back operation on Tuesday in Germany, that could keep him out for six week.

But Benitez believes he could return quicker than that. He said: “I don’t think it will be long. If everything goes well it won’t take too much time, maybe a few weeks.”

Benitez will make a late decision on the fitness of Martin Skrtel ahead of the Villa match.

The Slovakian is still recovering from a clash of heads with Jamie Carragher against Tottenham, and missed the Stoke game.

Benitez said: “He is training. We had to decide on Wednesday about him, but it was too soon to take any risks. Okay, we’ll see on Monday.”