RAFA BENITEZ today admitted he's taken 'a risk' splashing over £6m on Jermaine Pennant, but immediately predicted the winger will transform his image in Liverpool colours.
Benitez accepts the similarities in the reputation of Pennant and fellow summer signing Craig Bellamy.
But the Liverpool boss says Pennant is at the right club to complete his rehabilitation after a troubled early career at the top level.
Pennant has now arrived in Switzerland, will train with his new team-mates today and could play against Kaiserslautern on Saturday.
"Of course there is some risk in the deal, but there is risk in every transfer," said Benitez.
"It doesn't matter who you sign, you must wait and see if it's successful.
"Jermaine is a player we've liked for some time. He makes a lot of assists,is agood crosser and has a lot of pace. He's the kind of right winger we've been looking for.
"He also has the advantage of being used to the English style, which means he'll have no problem adjusting.
"We know it's similar to Craig Bellamy because this is Jermaine's last opportunity to show he is a good player at a really big club.
"When you sign a player that's been at a big club before but had problems, you know he will think more about the consequences of everything he does, and that's a positive thing.
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