DAMIEN COMOLLI believes Jordan Henderson will prove to be an excellent addition to the Liverpool squad.

The Reds’ director of football was delighted after securing the 20-year-old in a £16m deal from Sunderland last night, and says the England midfielder has all the attributes to be a success at Anfield.

Comolli said: “I’m very pleased because he was one of the targets we had and when you get your first target it’s always a good sign because you think the others will come through as well.

“We are very, very pleased. He has got all the skills technically that we needed. He’s good with the ball, he’s creative, he’s got good passing, and he’s physically very good. That’s everything we wanted in a midfielder and he’s versatile as well.”

Comolli says Henderson, who made his England debut last November but does not turn 21 until later this month, has a mature head upon his young shoulders, and thinks he will fit in nicely at Anfield under Kenny Dalglish.

“It is very difficult to believe you are talking to a 20-year-old,” he added. “You think you’re talking to a 25-year-old.

“He’s very passionate about football, very committed, a top professional. He’s the type of player who’ll stay behind after training and do extra work. When you talk to him it’s not about money or anything related to off the pitch. Everything is on the pitch.

“Kenny and I were very impressed with that and his commitment and passion for the game.”

Comolli also revealed he had spoken to captain Steven Gerrard, who had played alongside Henderson with England, before securing the deal.

“I spoke to Stevie about Jordan before we signed him,” he said. “Stevie was very positive because obviously they have been together in the England camp.” The move for Henderson represents the third significant outlay from Liverpool this year, following the arrivals of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January, and Comolli says: “(Jordan) is definitely a player for now. Obviously it’s up to Kenny to decide but we see him as a player for now.

“We are building for the future, a bit like with Luis and Andy in January, but we are also signing a player who is going to be effective from day one.”