Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has assured Ben Davies he's no stop-gap.

Klopp insists the new defensive arrival from Preston will develop under his guidance.

He told the club's website: "That's very important but the fact that he said yes shows he is confident. That's exactly what we need. We could have asked and he said, 'I'd prefer to stay at Preston or go somewhere else where I play 40-odd games per season.'

"So this is a challenge but it's an opportunity – a big, big opportunity. I see it exactly like that. We have centre-halves and what we have to bring in is different qualities and that we are all really ready for the challenges ahead of us. It can be a wonderful story and it's all about Ben and me to make sure this story will be really great. And we believe 100 per cent in development.

"I'm sure he wants to learn still, we are ready to teach still, to coach still. I'm really looking forward to meeting him."