Liverpool hero Jan Molby has welcomed their deal for Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen.

Allen made the move to Anfield on Friday.

Former Swansea City boss Molby told Liverpoolfc.com:"If you want to be a good passing team, you need to have someone to start it all.

"A few years ago, Liverpool had Xabi Alonso, who used to start our moves for us. Joe Allen is that type of player; he gets on the ball, he gets things moving, he's very, very sharp and he's got two good feet.

"But he can also cope with the physical demands of the modern game and, as part of a three-man midfield, he can get up and down the pitch.

"I think he's going to be a very good player but I think first and foremost, he's been signed because he's going to be the catalyst to get our play going."