Liverpool grab Garcia

Garcia scored four goals in La Liga last season

Liverpool have completed the signing Luis Garcia from Barcelona for £6m on a five-year deal after he passed a medical on Friday.

Garcia, 23, became the third player to arrive from La Liga this week alongside Real Madrid's Antonio Nunez and Xabi Alonso of Real Sociedad.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said: "He is a skilful player with a lot of talent and an attacking mentality. "He can play on the right or left side or just off the striker."

Benitez said neither Alonso or Garcia would be able to play in the weekend's Premiership game against Manchester City, or the Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.

Alonso makes Liverpool move

Benitez added: "Last season he scored seven goals for Barcelona which was the highest any player in his position scored in La Liga.

"He played for me at Tenerife on the left wing and scored 16 goals. He comes here as a player the manager knows very well.

"He will give us more possibilities in attack and it's important to have that kind of player at Liverpool. He is a different player to what we have at the moment."

Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: "I am happy for him because he has signed for a big club."

Not pleased at all, it puts our homegrown talent further down the pecking order From Wally Thom Have your say on 606

New Reds boss Rafael Benitez also paid £2m for Malaga defender Josemi earlier in the summer.

Garcia has previously played for Valladolid and Atletico Madrid as well as Valencia.

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