Liverpool sign Meireles

Liverpool have completed the signing of Porto midfielder Raul Meireles on a four-year deal.

Roy Hodgson moved quickly on Saturday to land Meireles and bolster the Anfield engine room following the recent departures of Alberto Aquilani and Javier Mascherano.

The Reds have paid 14 million euros (around £11.5m) for the services of the 27-year-old midfielder, who has won four titles with Porto and been capped 38 times by Portugal, including in all four of his country's matches in this summer's World Cup.

Meireles, at home in the centre of midfield, is well decorated in Portugal, having claimed four league winner's medals.

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He is an established international and scored in Portugal's 7-0 win over South Korea in South Africa this summer.

He will help fill the void after Liverpool agreed a deal on Friday to send Mascherano to Barcelona because the midfielder's family could not settle on Merseyside.

Aquilani also departed for Juventus in a loan deal which brought to an end an injury-hit spell in the city in which he struggled to adequately replace Xabi Alonso.

With Liverpool financially constrained as owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks attempt to sell the club, fans have had to make do with limited arrivals this summer - Christian Poulsen from Juve and Joe Cole on a free transfer from Chelsea being the headline names.

On the pitch Liverpool have started the season in mixed fashion under new manager Roy Hodgson, with last week's 3-0 defeat by Manchester City somewhat dispiriting.

However they at least have a Europa League campaign to look forward to after bouncing back to overcome Trabzonspor this week.