The right-back is good friends with the Reds winger having played alongside him for Holland's Under 21 side and they have met on many occasions in the Eredivisie.

He told the club's official website: "I spoke to my good friend Ryan Babel a lot and he said this was a big step for me and I will be alright.

"I always played against Ryan in the Dutch league and I always said to him I was going to play against him in the Premier League.

"Now it's finally there and it's a big chance for me.

"I hope I can adapt to the Premier League as well as Ryan has.

"I want to prove myself and get better like he did as the season went on."