His signing may come too late for the Spaniard to be involved in tomorrow’s opening match at home to Sunderland but Enrique is set to play a key role in the rest of the campaign.

The left side of defence has been a problem position for Liverpool over the last few years but, on the face of his performances for the Magpies, Enrique’s arrival could well change that.

His expected partnership with fellow summer signing Stewart Downing down the left should provide the Merseysiders with the balance and attacking thrust they have lacked in recent seasons.

With Fabio Aurelio and teenage reserve team defender Jack Robinson providing back-up it puts the future of Emiliano Insua, who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, in doubt.

But while filling the vacancy at left-back has been a major requirement for Dalglish, his options further upfield appear to be plentiful.

Ex-Villa winger Downing, Blackpool’s Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson, who will hope to face his former club tomorrow, have all bolstered midfield to such an extent last season’s player of the year Lucas Leiva admits he will have to work hard to earn his spot.

“We have a lot of midfielders at the club at the moment,” he said. “It’s always important to strengthen the squad and I think I will have to fight again for my place.

“It’s been like this all my years here and this season is going to be the same. In football you have to prove yourself every single day. Of course I got the award last season but this season is a new challenge.

“There is more responsibility on me in the team. Hopefully I will cope well and have a great season.”

The Brazil midfielder believes Dalglish’s recruitment of British players, primarily, will boost their chances in the league.

“The English players know the mentality, they know the way the Premier League is played,” he told liverpoolfc.tv.

“I think we have a good mix of foreign players and British players. For me, it’s good because they know the mentality you need to be a winner at a club like Liverpool.”