Christian Poulsen joins Liverpool from Juventus

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Poulsen 'proud to play for Liverpool'

Liverpool have signed Denmark international Christian Poulsen on a three-year contract from Italian club Juventus for an initial fee of £4.5m.

The defensive midfielder, 30, has been earmarked by manager Roy Hodgson as a potential replacement for Javier Mascherano, who wants to leave Anfield.

Poulsen joins new signings Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson at the club this summer.

He knows Hodgson, having joined FC Copenhagen when he was boss in 2000.

"I had two good years with him so I hope to carry that on, and hopefully he'll be satisfied with my qualities," he said.

"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."

Poulsen, who has also played for Schalke and Sevilla, has 77 Denmark caps.

606: DEBATE I've seen him play. He's a solid performer. Perhaps slightly more attacking than Maschers, but certainly not as good as the Argentine... edyk99

"With this move here I have a lot to prove. If you come to a club like Liverpool, you have to deliver," he added.

"I will hopefully show I can be a good player for Liverpool.

"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."

Argentina captain Mascherano asked Hodgson for a transfer on the day he returned to pre-season training after an extended break following the World Cup.

Mascherano refused to discuss his future when asked after playing in Argentina's friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday.

"I will not talk about that - I am still a Liverpool player but I can't say any more," said Mascherano.

Mascherano ponders his Anfield future

The 26-year-old is keen to be reunited with former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan, although the Serie A club appear unwilling to meet Liverpool's valuation of him.

Macherano said he would return to Liverpool on Thursday and attend training.

Regarding any further fee, a statement on the Juve website said: "The consideration for the disposal may increase by a further maximum of 1.2m euros (£1m) on achieving given sports performances in the course of the duration of the contract."